[The Evaluation of Calcium Alginate Dressing Helping Wound Healing of Nail Surgery]

Objective: To determine the effect of calcium alginate dressing therapy on wound healing after nail surgery.

Methods: Patients with nail surgery on nail bed of great toe were divide into two groups (20 caces for each group) randomly based on random number table. Calcium alginate dressing were used in treatment group after nail surgery and the vaseline gauze were applied in control group after surgery. The number of wound remain bleeding and the rating of pain [visual analogue scale (VAS)] scores were observed for three times (24 h, 48 h and 72 h). Median time of pain bearing and time of wound healing were also observed.

Results: There were 16 males and 4 females in control group [mean age (37.45±3.30) yr.]. There were 12 males and 8 females in treatment group [mean age (33.40±3.13) yr.].There were no significant differences in sex ratio and age between the two groups (P>0.05). No infection was found in the treatment group, but 1 case in the control group. The number of bleeding cases in treatment group was less than that in control group (P<0.05), as well as the VAS scores 24 h after nail surgery (P<0.05). At 48 h, no bleeding occurred in the traetment group, while there were 2 cases of bleeding in the control group (P>0.05); the VAS score in treatment group was less than that in control group (P<0.05). At 72 h, no bleeding was observed in both groups, and the difference in VAS score between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The median time of pain bearing was 24 h in treatment group while 72 h in control group. Wound healing time of treatment group (9.40 d) and control group (11.35 d) was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Calcium alginate dressing therapy can promote postoperative wound recovery and block bleeding and pain after nail surgery.