Preventing orthopaedic surgery-related wound blisters

Superficial wound blisters are an abnormal swelling (i.e. filling with fluid) in the epidermal layer of the skin in response to trauma [FIGUrE 1].
Blistering in postoperative wounds may be caused
by skin stripping from removal of medical tape
removal, or prolonged exposure of the skin
to adhesive contact layers of dressings and
associated with the presence of sutures. Deeper
dermal blisters are generally associated with
burns or direct trauma and can take longer
to heal than superficial blisters. Postsurgical
blistering can cause pain, wound leakage, delay
healing of the wound, and increase the risk
of postoperative surgical site infection, which
ultimately can result in prolonged and costly
hospital stays.