Wick vs. No Wick: Does Method of Closure Affect Rate of Wound Infection?

Once the fascia of the ostomy site is closed, the subcutaneous space will be irrigated with normal saline. The skin will then be reapproximated using an absorbable suture, spaced every 1 cm across the wound (i.e. for a 2cm wound, a single suture will be placed in the middle). A moist, saline/betadine soaked gauze will then be gently packed into the wound spaces, on either side of the sutures. The gauze will be packed into the wound to the depth of ½ a cm, or ½ of the wound depth, whichever is greater. A single dry piece of gauze will then be secured over the top of the wound. Dressings and packing will be removed by the surgical team on post-operative day 2

Once the fascia of the ostomy site is closed, the subcutaneous space will be irrigated with normal saline. The skin will then be reapproximated using an absorbable suture, spaced every 1 cm across the wound (i.e. for a 2 cm wound, a single suture will be placed in the middle). A single piece of dry gauze will then be secured over the top of the wound. Dressings will be removed by the surgical team on post-operative day 2