Duration of Wound Coverage for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections After Surgery: A Systematic Review of...

This systematic review aimed to identify the published evidence on the length of time surgical wounds should be covered with dressings after surgery to prevent surgical site infections (SSI). MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL were searched in August 2025 for RCTs comparing the effects of different lengths of time wounds are covered after surgery on SSI at specified time points. Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Duration of dressing and patient population varied across studies. The SSI rate was higher in groups with longer dressing duration in nine studies, higher in the shorter duration group in three studies and equivalent between groups in one study. Two studies reported no SSIs, and one study reported a composite outcome. Meta-analysis of results showed no significant difference in the development of SSI between the shorter and longer dressing duration groups (RR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.22, p = 0.33). The GRADE assessment of evidence was very low. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of patient population, type of surgery and dressing duration. Our findings add to the evidence showing that shorter and longer dressing durations are comparable in terms of SSI risk. Future research should prioritise well-powered RCTs examining standardised dressing durations and follow-up, with stratification by wound characteristics and dressing material.