Early outcomes of post-operative hip and proximal thigh wounds dressed with post-op opsite™ versus povidone-iodine based dressing: Protocol for a randomized trial.

This is a parallel group, randomized controlled trial to compare the early outcomes of post-operative wounds around the hip and proximal thigh dressed with povidone-iodine soaked gauze dressings versus post-operative opsite™ dressings. Ninety-eight patients undergoing orthopaedic surgeries around the hip and proximal thigh in the Department of Orthopaedics, University College Hospital Ibadan will be recruited via block randomization into two intervention arms. A datasheet will be filled, to collect socio-demographic data of the respondents, type of surgery, implant status, dressing application, day of first change of wound dressing after surgery and the indication for the change, number of wound dressing changes, pain score at wound dressing change and presence or absence of skin blistering and maceration at the operation site. Data entry, collation and analyses will be done using statistical packages; binary variables using chi-square and continuous variables using z-test, regression studies will also be done. The findings from the study would improve knowledge in the care of post-operative patients in Orthopaedics and help with developing a protocol for care of wounds in the hip and proximal thigh.