How long should a Mepilex (foam dressing) be kept in place after abdominal surgery?

Duration of Mepilex Dressing After Abdominal Surgery

Mepilex dressings should be kept in place for 5-7 days after abdominal surgery, with monitoring for signs of infection, and can be changed less frequently than traditional dressings due to their superior exudate management properties. 1

Initial Post-Surgical Wound Care

• Surgical site infection is common in abdominal surgeries, affecting up to 35% of emergency laparotomy patients 2
• Until the surgical wound is healed, the site should be monitored daily and kept clean and dry using aseptic wound care techniques (typically for 5-7 days post-procedure) 2
• Foam dressings like Mepilex are designed to manage wound exudate effectively while maintaining a moist healing environment 1
• Mepilex Border Post-Op has demonstrated superior exudate management with only 5% wet exudate compared to other dressing types 1

Advantages of Mepilex Dressings

• Mepilex dressings are designed for less frequent changes (every 5-7 days) compared to traditional dressings that require daily changes 3
• The longer wear time promotes undisturbed healing and allows patients to resume normal activities sooner 3
• Foam dressings like Mepilex create a moist environment that promotes healing while protecting new tissue 4
• In clinical evaluations, Mepilex Border Post-Op has been associated with reduced surgical site infection rates when left intact for 7 days 1

Dressing Change Protocol

• After the initial 5-7 day period of aseptic wound care, dressing changes can be reduced to once or twice weekly 2
• When changing the dressing, inspect the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, increased pain, purulent discharge) 2
• After initial wound healing, the site can be cleansed using soap and water of drinking quality during dressing changes 2
• For clean, well-healing wounds, dressings may eventually be omitted completely and the site left open 2

Special Considerations

• Application of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on closed incisions may be beneficial for patients at high risk of surgical site infection 2
• For contaminated abdominal cases, more frequent dressing changes may be necessary based on the level of exudate 2
• The use of glycerin hydrogel or glycogel dressing can be considered as an alternative to classical aseptic wound care during the first week 2
• Occlusive dressings should be avoided as they promote a moist wound environment that can lead to skin maceration 2

Monitoring for Complications

• Monitor the wound site for signs of bleeding, pain, erythema, induration, leakage, and inflammation 2
• Less than 5mm of reddening around the wound is frequent and largely induced by movement - it is not necessarily a sign of wound infection 2
• If signs of infection develop, take a swab for microbiological examination and consider antibiotic treatment 2
• Persistent local infections should be treated with antibiotics after taking a swab for microbiological examination 2

By following these guidelines for Mepilex dressing management after abdominal surgery, you can promote optimal wound healing while reducing the frequency of dressing changes and minimizing the risk of surgical site infections.