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Early Postoperative Water Exposure - RCT (Does Not Increase Complications)

Samaan C, Kim Y, Zhou S, et al.
Dermatologic Surgery (2024)

JC: December 2024

This randomized controlled trial investigated whether early postoperative water exposure (showering/bathing) increases surgical site complications after dermatologic surgery. The study found no significant increase in infection or dehiscence rates with early water exposure, challenging traditional wound care restrictions.

Take-Home Messages

  • •Early postoperative water exposure does not significantly increase infection or complication rates after dermatologic surgery.
  • •Traditional restrictions on bathing after skin surgery may be unnecessarily conservative and can be liberalized for patient convenience.

Topic

Reconstruction

Flaps, grafts, wound closure techniques after Mohs

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Abstract

Patients are often advised to keep the initial postoperative dressings dry and undisturbed for 24 to 72 hours. However, these requirements may result in significant disruption of patients' activities of daily living, such as bathing, leisure, and exercise. Compare standard management of keeping wounds dry and covered (48 hours) with early (6 hours) postoperative water exposure. Investigator-blinded, randomized (1:1), controlled trial evaluating rate of infection and additional outcomes of int...

Literature review only. This summary is an editorial interpretation and may not reflect the complete findings of the original publication. Always refer to the full-text article for clinical decision-making.