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wound irrigation
For prevention of wound infections, irrigation is more effective than cleaning with antibacterial solutions. Use of sterile saline for irrigation has beeb the current standard of care; however, tap water is equivalent or superior to sterile saline for wound irrigation [1].
Benefit/risk:
- wound irrigation with tap water vs sterile normal saline
- number needed to treat (NNT)
- 36 to prevent 1 infection
General
wound care
fluid irrigation
References
- The NNT: Tap Water vs. Sterile Saline for Wound Irrigation
http://www.thennt.com/nnt/tap-water-for-wound-irrigation/
- Fernandez R, Griffiths R
Water for wound cleansing.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 15;2:CD003861.
PMID: 22336796
- Moscati RM, Mayrose J, Reardon RF, Janicke DM, Jehle DV.
A multicenter comparison of tap water versus sterile saline for
wound irrigation.
Acad Emerg Med. 2007 May;14(5):404-9.
PMID: 17456554
- Weiss EA, Oldham G, Lin M, Foster T, Quinn JV.
Water is a safe and effective alternative to sterile normal
saline for wound irrigation prior to suturing: a prospective,
double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial.
BMJ Open. 2013 Jan 16;3(1). pii: e001504.
PMID: 23325896