Evaluation of Silver-Impregnated Hydro-fiber Dressing in the Non-Operative Management of Omphalocele

Abstract

Background: In the arena of pediatric surgery, omphalocele is one of the most common abdominal wall defects. In the non-operative management of omphalocele, silver-impregnated hydro-fiber dressing is widely used. But in Bangladesh, we do have not enough research-based data regarding the effectiveness and outcomes of this procedure in the non-operative management of omphalocele. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of silver-impregnated hydro-fiber dressing in the non-operative management of omphalocele. Methods: This was a prospective interventional study and was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2018 to June 2020. In total 10 neonates with omphalocele using silver-impregnated hydro-fiber dressing were enrolled in this study as the study subjects. The random sampling (Lotter) method was applied in the sample selection procedure. Data were collected in a pre-designed data collection sheet. Data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by using the MS Office program. Results: In this study, the male-female ratio of the participants was 1:2.3. The mean ±SD age of the respondents was 1.0 ±0.66 years. In the majority of the neonates (90%), the size of the omphalocele sac was >5 cm and the time to start epithelization was 15.10 ±2.23 days. At the first admission, hospital stay was for 5.10 ±1.19 days in total neonates and the time to start epithelization of the neonates was 15.10 ±2.23 days. In our study, we observed that the time to complete epithelization was 63.60 ±14.60 days. Conclusion: Silver-impregnated hydro-fiber dressing is an effective treatment procedure in the non-operative management of omphalocele.