A comparative study of 'Op-site' and 'Nobecutan gauze' dressings for central venous line care.

A comparative study of 'Op-site' and 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressings for central venous lines was performed. Seventy-seven long antebrachial and 68 infraclavicular subclavian catheters were studied. A statistically significant reduction in the incidence of positive cultures from the catheter tip and from the skin puncture site was found with the 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressing. No difference in the incidence of catheter-related septicaemia was found. The theoretical advantage of being able to observe signs of inflammation when 'Op-site' was used did not reduce the incidence of local infection at the skin puncture site. In conclusion we found that a 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressing was a satisfactory alternative to an 'Op-site' dressing.