The value of head dressings for middle ear surgery.

ABSTRACT

A prospective trial was performed to ascertain the value of head dressings in the post-operative management of patients undergoing middle ear and mastoid surgery. One hundred consecutive patients were randomly allocated to a head dressing or no head dressing group after wound closure. Nine patients in the head dressing group developed a wound complication as opposed to four patients in the no head dressing group. The application of a pressure dressing following middle ear and mastoid surgery is unnecessary and may contribute to increased wound morbidity.