Impact of Dressing Removal Timing on Post-Surgical Outcomes in Clean/Clean-Contaminated Wounds: A Retrospective Analysis
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Abstract
Background: While traditional surgical wound management has often involved leaving dressings undisturbed for several days post-operatively, contemporary research is investigating the potential advantages of earlier dressing removal. This approach may facilitate expedited detection of surgical site infections and enhance patient comfort. However, it is imperative to rigorously evaluate the impact of this practice on wound healing rates and patient satisfaction in comparison to the conventional delayed dressing removal protocol. Methods: A year-long cohort study was conducted on 157 post-surgical patients to compare the efficacy of early (within 48 hours) versus delayed wound dressing removal. Participants were divided into two groups based on the timing of dressing removal. Statistical software was used to analyze the collected data. Results: A comparative analysis of early versus delayed removal of wound dressings revealed no statistically significant difference in the incidence of wound complications (p > 0.05). However, patient satisfaction scores were lower in the early removal group compared to the delayed removal group. While the study did not demonstrate any objective advantages of delayed dressing removal in terms of wound healing outcomes, it highlights a potential association between early removal and decreased cost. Conclusions: While no statistically significant difference in outcomes was observed between early and delayed removal of wound dressings, the early removal of dressing was associated with reduced healthcare costs, earlier detection of wound infection, and shorter hospital stays.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jyotiranjan Mohapatra, Snigdharani Choudhury, Satyajit Behera, Diptish Kumar Sahoo, Sashibhusan Dash
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