Simplified management of operative wounds by early exposure

Of a total of 3,674 surgical wounds, 2,525 were treated by the early exposure method, i.e. the wounds were left undressed from the first postoperative day. The incidence of wound infection was 1.7% in clean wounds and 7.9% in clean-contaminated wounds. The acceptance of the method by the patients was evaluated by questionnaire on a random sample of 100 patients. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of the method. It is submitted that the usually postulated indications for dressings (protection, prevention of contamination, absorption, compression and stabilization/immobilization) do not obtain after the first 24 postoperative hours. The hospitalized patient is not exposed to trauma, the risk of contamination is low, body hygiene can be resumed earlier and the need for pressure-dressings or splinting is negligible in general surgery. Dressings are expensive, time-consuming, often interfere with breathing and cause discomfort. They are unnecessary on a clean wound after 24 hours.