Woodburn KR, Sockalingham S, Gilmore H, Condie ME, Ruckley CV. A randomised trial of rigid stump dressing following trans-tibial amputation for peripheral arterial insufficiency.
Prosthet Orthot Int 2004;
28:22-7. [PMID:
15171574 DOI:
10.3109/03093640409167921]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A multicentre randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of a rigid plaster dressing applied at the time of trans-tibial amputation on the number of days to casting for a prosthesis, and the incidence of post-operative stump infection.
METHODS
Patients requiring trans-tibial amputation were randomised to one of 2 groups: In Group 1 (intervention) a rigid above-knee plaster dressing was applied at operation and patients were managed according to a standard protocol. Group 2 (control) had the individual surgeons' usual non-rigid dressing regime. Rehabilitation data were extracted from the national physiotherapy database. On completion of the trial a questionnaire was sent to all participants.
RESULTS
14 surgeons in 7 centres enrolled 154 patients, with 96 ultimately cast for a prosthesis. Patients who received a rigid dressing (n = 78) had reduced days to casting (median 36, confidence interval 30-47) when compared with other dressings (n = 76) (median 42, confidence interval 36-45), these differences did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference in post-operative infection rates in the two groups. 64% of surgeons, and all physiotherapists and vascular nurses responding to the post-trial questionnaire felt that the rigid dressing was an improvement on their normal regime and wished to continue with the technique.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite a median reduction of 6 days in time to casting in patients treated with a rigid post-operative dressing this failed to reach statistical significance. The majority of participants who replied to the post-trial questionnaire expressed a wish to continue using the rigid dressing technique. To confirm that the trends shown in this trial are statistically valid a larger trial is needed.
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