The Effect of Moist Dressing With Normal Saline on Scar Formation and Wound Healing in Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Postoperative wound care, including the prevention of adverse outcomes such as scarring and the acceleration of the healing process, is essential for managing patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and enhancing their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of moist dressings with normal saline in reducing scarring and promoting wound healing in these patients. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 100 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received moist dressings with normal saline, or the control group, which received routine dry dressings. Wound assessments were performed on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 21 using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the REEDA (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) wound healing checklist. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics—including age, gender, education level, surgical history, and surgical site—were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). Wound evaluations revealed significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of scarring (P=0.002) and wound healing progression (P<0.001). These findings underscore the effectiveness of moist dressings with normal saline in reducing scarring and accelerating wound healing in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.