METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients were enrolled into this open-label, prospective, non-comparative evaluation. Ten patients completed Open Gastric Bypass Surgery (OGBS) and ten completed Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery (LGBS). Incisions were closed with subcuticular sutures and adhesive wound closure strips† (LGBS group), or with staples (OGBS group). The appropriate size/configuration of dressing was applied over the closed incisions in the OR. Dressings were removed prior to discharge or by post-op day-3. Assessments of dressing performance were completed at application and at removal. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Five male and 15 female patients were enrolled into the study. Mean (SD) Age = 43.6 (10.7) years, Height = 65.6 (3.5) inches, Weight = 284.1 (72.3) lbs. Each LGBS patient had five small incisions (N=50) and each OGBS patient had one or two larger incisions (N=11). The vast majority of clinician dressing assessments were rated as Good or Very Good. This included: ability to assess wound through the dressing (100% at application, 98% at removal), conformability (100%), application ease (100%), removal ease (100%), absorbency (98%), adhesion (97%), barrier properties (98%), comfort during removal (98%), overall comfort (100%), non-adherence to wound (100%), and wear-time (98%). There was little (12%) to no (88%) residue left on the skin, and there was little (2%) to no (98%) odor associated with the dressing or wound. Clinician assessments of the value of transparency was High to Very High in 98% of wounds, and overall satisfaction was rated as Good to Very Good in 97% of wounds. Complete approximation occurred in all wounds.

CONCLUSIONS: The new transparent absorbent dressing performed well and may be an appropriate choice for dressing surgical incision wounds.

* 3M™ Tegaderm™ Absorbent Clear Acrylic Dressing

†3M™ Steri-Strips™ Skin Closures