RecruitingNot Applicable

Early Versus Delayed Bathing of Orthopaedic Surgical Wounds

United States56 participantsStarted 2024-01-29

Plain-language summary

This is a single center randomized control trial assessing the effect of early versus delayed bathing on orthopaedic surgical wounds in patients undergoing surgical treatment of fractures. Patients will be recruited by screening all patients undergoing surgical treatment for fractures at our institution. Patients who provide written consent will be randomized to one of two treatment arms after confirming eligibility criteria. Group A will be advised to begin early normal bathing (non-submerged showering) with uncovered surgical wounds. Group B will be advised to follow traditional delayed bathing with covered wounds. Those who do not wish to participate in the randomized trial will be invited to participate observationally (no randomization) and have the same prospective follow-up.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients over 18 years of age * Patient who are not pregnant * Isolated acute fractures of the upper or lower extremities (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, or fibula) * Diagnosis of a fracture meeting indication for operative intervention * Any fracture not requiring a splint for post-operative management * Non-complicated wounds (non-traumatic wounds, closed injuries, fractures not requiring external fixation, and acute fracture surgery) Exclusion Criteria: * Fractures associated with presumed infection * Patients with multiple fractures * Fractures in patients with underlying associated immune compromise * Fractures in patients with underlying peripheral vascular disease * Use of VAC * Surgery performed through previous surgical wound * Patient homeless * Fractures in patients with underlying diabetes mellitus * Complicated wounds (traumatic wounds, need for post-op wound care, open injuries, need for external fixation)

What they're measuring

Patient satisfaction associated with early and delayed surgical site bathing

Timeframe: Weeks 2, 6 and 12 post surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06014411

SponsorHospital for Special Surgery, New York

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

William M Ricci, MD

212-606-1026 ricciw@hss.edu