Absence of Dressing versus Dressing in Gynaecological and Obstetrical Surgery at the University Hospital of Brazzaville

Abstract

Objective: To compare the evolution of the operative site in the presence or absence of an occlusive skin dressing. Patients and methods: Prospective, comparative study that took place at the University Hospital of Brazzaville from January 1st to August 31st, 2016. 120 patients were randomly recruited divided into two groups: A study group consisting of 60 patients without a dressing and a control group consisting of 60 patients. Results: Sociodemographic characteristics were similar in both groups, as well as pre-and intraoperative characteristics. Postoperative complications included parietal infection (3 vs. 4 cases, p > 0.05), one case of disunion, and one case of skin irritation by the plaster in the study group. The duration of healing was shorter in the control group compared to the study group (11 ± 2 days vs. 12 ± 2, p > 0.05). The average cost of care equipment was 3.5 times higher for the group with dressing (5120 FCFA vs. 18620 FCFA, p < 0.05). In the study group, only one patient was afraid of seeing her wound. Patients in the control group were less satisfied, indeed they dreaded the time of removal of the plaster because of the pain.