3M transparent dressing can efficiently prevent catheter drop and wound exudate among pleural effusion patients undertaking closed thoracic drainage

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of 3M transparent dressing on preventing the drop of closed thoracic catheter from pleural cavity and wound exudate.Methods Pleural effusion patients who underwent closed thoracic drainage were divided to 3M transparent dressing group and paper tape dressing group randomly.The frequencies of catheter drop,loose dressing,skin rash and wound exudate were observed.Results A total of 168 patients were enrolled,85 in 3M transparent dressing group and 83 in paper tape dressing group.There were no differences in sex,age,characteristic of pleural effusion,and catheter days between two groups (all P ＞0.05) ;skin rash and loose dressing were also similar between groups.However,the incidences of catheter drop and wound exudate were significantly higher among paper tape dressing group than 3M transparent dressing group (22.2％ vs 9.4％,26.5％ vs 4.7％,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions 3M transparent dressing can prevent catheter drop and wound exudate among pleural effusion patients undertaking closed thoracic drainage. Key words: 3M transparent dressing; Pleural effusion; Closed thoracic drainage