Objective:To evaluate the effects of two dressing methods on wound healing and patient satisfaction after cosmetic suturing for pediatric facial trauma.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dongying People′s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023. A total of 180 pediatric patients [105 males, 75 females, aged 3-7 (3.9±1.4) years] with facial trauma requiring cosmetic suturing were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly divided into the study group ( n=91) and control group ( n=89) using a random number table. During the first postoperative dressing change at 24 hours, the study group received saline cleaning followed by erythromycin ointment coverage, while the control group underwent iodine disinfection with gauze coverage. Pain intensity during the second dressing change was assessed using the Chinese version of the Children′s Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS). Wound healing at 6-7 days post-suturing was evaluated using the Chinese version of the redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale. Scar appearance at 14 days was measured via the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES). Complication rates (infection, dehiscence) and satisfaction rates were statistically analyzed. Results:During the second dressing change, the CHEOPS score was significantly lower in the study group (6.27±1.32) than that in the control group (6.89±1.21) ( P=0.001). At 6-7 days, the REEDA score in the study group (2.26±1.91) was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.07±2.13) ( P=0.008). At 14 days, the SBSES score was significantly lower in the study group [2.60±1.42) vs (3.89±1.50), P<0.001]. The infection rate was 1.09% (1/91) in the study group and 1.12% (1/89) in the control group, with two cases of epidermal dehiscence observed in the control group. The satisfaction rate in the study group was 93.41% (85/91), which was higher than that in the control group [85.49% (76/89), P=0.020]. Conclusion:Saline cleaning combined with erythromycin ointment coverage reduces pain during wound dressing change, facilitates early wound healing, and improves patient′s satisfaction.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of two dressing methods on wound healing and patient satisfaction after cosmetic suturing for pediatric facial trauma.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dongying People′s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023. A total of 180 pediatric patients [105 males, 75 females, aged 3-7 (3.9±1.4) years] with facial trauma requiring cosmetic suturing were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly divided into the study group ( n=91) and control group ( n=89) using a random number table. During the first postoperative dressing change at 24 hours, the study group received saline cleaning followed by erythromycin ointment coverage, while the control group underwent iodine disinfection with gauze coverage. Pain intensity during the second dressing change was assessed using the Chinese version of the Children′s Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS). Wound healing at 6-7 days post-suturing was evaluated using the Chinese version of the redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale. Scar appearance at 14 days was measured via the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES). Complication rates (infection, dehiscence) and satisfaction rates were statistically analyzed. Results:During the second dressing change, the CHEOPS score was significantly lower in the study group (6.27±1.32) than that in the control group (6.89±1.21) ( P=0.001). At 6-7 days, the REEDA score in the study group (2.26±1.91) was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.07±2.13) ( P=0.008). At 14 days, the SBSES score was significantly lower in the study group [2.60±1.42) vs (3.89±1.50), P<0.001]. The infection rate was 1.09% (1/91) in the study group and 1.12% (1/89) in the control group, with two cases of epidermal dehiscence observed in the control group. The satisfaction rate in the study group was 93.41% (85/91), which was higher than that in the control group [85.49% (76/89), P=0.020]. Conclusion:Saline cleaning combined with erythromycin ointment coverage reduces pain during wound dressing change, facilitates early wound healing, and improves patient′s satisfaction.