OBJECTIVETo compare the influence on the postoperative wound healing between inflatable pressure applicator and traditional pressure dressing.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to February 2010, 50 patients with closed femoral shaft fractures were randomly divided into group A and group B, with 25 patients in each group. There were 13 males and 12 females in group A, ranging in age from 38 to 60 years, with an average of (55.1 +/- 9.5) years; of them, road accident was in 18 cases, fall from heigh was in 6 cases, accidental falling injury was in 1 case. There were 15 males and 10 females in group B, ranging in age from 40 to 65 years, with an average of (56.5 +/- 9.2) years; of them, road accident was in 13 cases, fall from heigh was in 6 cases, accidental falling injury was in 6 cases. There was no significant difference between two groups in clinical data. The postoperative wounds of group A were binded with dressing of inflatable pressure applicator; and of group B with traditional pressure dressing. Volume of drainage at 12 h after operation, saturation of blood oxygen at 12, 24 h after operation, satisfactory rate of patients were compared between two groups.

RESULTSPostoperative volume of drainage in group A was lower than that of group B, respectively was (77.5 +/- 4.6), (94.3 +/- 3.8) ml. Saturation of blood oxygen at 12, 24 h after operation in A group was respectively (98.3 +/- 1.1)%, (98.9 +/- 0.8)%, and in group B was respectively (96.5 +/- 0.4)%, ( 97.0 +/- 0.3)%; there was significant difference between two groups at the same time. Satisfactory rate of patients in A group was better than that of group B.

CONCLUSIONInflatable pressure applicator can obviously pressurize and stop bleeding for postoperative wounds, but no affect on peripheral blood supply and can improve discomfort of patients.