Medical adhesive dressings, while widely used, can compromise skin barrier integrity, delay healing, increase infection risks, and contribute to patient discomfort. Given their routine application in pediatric surgery, a comparative assessment of adhesive alternatives is clinically warranted.
Aims This study aimed to compare the clinical performance of silicone-coated dressings (Cosmopor Silicone) versus traditional medical adhesive dressings (Cosmopor E Steril) in pediatric surgical patients.
Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-center, randomized trial enrolled 100 children (5–17 years) undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Participants were allocated via simple randomization (envelope method) into: Group 1 (Intervention): Silicone-based dressings (*n* = 50; 31 males, 19 females; mean age 10.9 ± 2.9 years); Group 2 (Control): Medical adhesive dressings (*n* = 50; 28 males, 22 females; mean age 8.6 ± 3.1 years).
Skin integrity was evaluated macroscopically and dermatoscopically at 4 timepoints daily for 7 postoperative days. A mathematical model quantified damage severity (sum of adhesion removal scores × affected skin area coefficient).
Results: Skin Damage: By day 7, Group 2 exhibited a 9-fold higher incidence of skin injury vs. Group 1 (36% vs. 4%, *p* < 0.001). Pain Scores: Mean pain intensity was 3.5× lower with silicone dressings (1.7 vs. 6 points in controls; *p* < 0.001). Anxiety Levels: Control group anxiety remained elevated (8.5–6.9 points) throughout hospitalization, whereas Group 1 reported scores ≤3 points from days 4–7, reflecting improved tolerance.
Conclusions: Silicone-coated dressings (Cosmopor Silicone) significantly reduced peri-wound skin trauma, attenuated pain (by 72%), and minimized anticipatory anxiety during dressing changes. These findings support their preferential use in pediatric surgical care to enhance patient comfort and wound outcomes.
Keywords: MARSI, Silicone-Coated Dressings, Wound Management
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