Removable Rigid Dressings for the Post-Operative Management of Leg Amputations

Abstract

Two systematic reviews and 1 randomized controlled trial provided evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of removable rigid dressings compared to soft dressings. Overall, there was limited evidence suggesting that removable rigid dressings had beneficial or neutral effects compared to soft dressings, and both types of dressings were associated with few adverse events. Limitations that may reduce the certainty of the evidence include small sample sizes, lack of randomization in non-randomized studies, lack of blinding, and selective reporting. Three evidence-based guidelines based on low-quality evidence were identified that provided recommendations related to removable rigid dressings. The Australian, Dutch, and US guidelines recommend the rigid dressings for transtibial amputations, although Australian and Dutch guidelines specified removable rigid dressings. The Dutch guideline recommends against the use of rigid dressings for transfemoral amputations. No evidence was identified on the cost-effectiveness of removable rigid dressings compared to alternative dressings.