Post CABG dressings (what do you use?)

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 23, 2009

We don't do CABGs (we're peds) but we do about 300 open-heart procedures per year. We've recently changed our sternotomy dressing to Mepilex Border Lite to minimize skin trauma with dressing changes. They come in a number of sizes and shapes to suit practically any need and can be lifted to assess the incision then replaced with no loss of adhesion. http://www.dressings.org/Dressings/mepilex-border-lite.html

allnurses Guide · Mar 23, 2009

Sternal dressing: Primapore.

billythekid · Mar 25, 2009

i have seen silk tape with sterile gauze changed before 24hrs and elastoplast tape changed at 48 hrs. i'm wondering what other heart programs do for post op dressings????

OpSite dressing for sternal incision

cruisin_woodward · Mar 26, 2009

Primapore

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2009

Primapore here as well, most of the time. Odd situations have called for other things but 99% of the time, we clean the incision with Hibiclens diluted in sterile NS, apply triple antibiotic ointment and cover with Primapore. That's the standard unless something else is ordered.

WahooRN08 · Mar 28, 2009

Primapore, then after POD 1, the dressing comes off and is cleaned with chloraprep. (sp)

cruisin_woodward · Mar 28, 2009

I was taught that you do not want to use chloroprep on the surgical wound because it gets rod of the skins natural flora (or is it fauna?). Chloroprep can be used around the incision, but not directly on it...only sterile saline no the wound...any one else been taught this?

jmgrn65, RN · Mar 28, 2009

Actually I am not sure what is used because we get them 2nd day post op after that the incision is open to air and cleansed daily with antibacterial soap and water. Unless there is drainage then just sterile guaze and paper tape.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 28, 2009

I just learned yesterday that our wound care NP and one of our CV surgeons will be trialling a new transparent, absorbent dressing the name of which escapes me right now, that will stay in place at least 72 hours but no more than 120 hours. More later...

stoli · Apr 3, 2009

POD 1- we cleanse with hibaclense and paint betadine @ sides of the sternal incision , apply sterile gauze attached with silk tape.

elthia · Apr 3, 2009

We use a type of sponge dressing that is impregnated with silver nitrate and covered with tegaderm, it is applied in the OR, and is not removed for 7-10 days. Since we have started using the silver nitrate dressings, our sternal wound infections have dramatically decreased compared to when we used betadine.