Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Nanofiber Wound Dressings Versus Conventional Gauze in Postoperative Healing Efficiency
Keywords:
Biocompatibility, Dressing materials, Infection control, Nanofibers, Postoperative care, Randomized controlled trial, Surgical wounds, Wound healing, Wound infectionAbstract
Background: Wound healing following surgical intervention remains a crucial determinant of postoperative recovery. Traditional gauze dressings, though widely used, often fail to provide optimal moisture balance and microbial control. Emerging nanofiber-based wound dressings have demonstrated superior wound management properties due to their structural mimicry of the extracellular matrix and enhanced permeability, potentially leading to improved healing outcomes.
Objective: To compare wound closure time, infection control, and patient comfort between nanofiber-based dressings and conventional gauze therapy among postoperative surgical patients.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted over six months in tertiary hospitals of South Punjab, involving 160 patients undergoing clean or clean-contaminated surgical procedures. Participants were randomly assigned to either the nanofiber dressing group (n=80) or the gauze group (n=80). Healing progression was evaluated through wound closure rate, infection incidence, and patient-reported pain scores using the Visual Analogue Scale. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests for normally distributed variables, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Patients in the nanofiber group exhibited significantly shorter mean wound closure time (8.4 ± 1.9 days) compared to the gauze group (11.7 ± 2.3 days). Infection rates were lower in the nanofiber group (6.3%) than in the gauze group (17.5%). Pain scores were also reduced, indicating greater patient comfort and ease of mobility during recovery.
Conclusion: Nanofiber wound dressings demonstrated superior healing efficiency, lower infection rates, and better patient tolerance compared to conventional gauze, suggesting their effective role in enhancing postoperative recovery and reducing complications.
References
1. Moradifar F, Sepahdoost N, Tavakoli P, Mirzapoor AJH. Multi-functional dressings for recovery and screenable treatment of wounds: A review. 2025;11(1).
2. Zhang X, Wang Y, Gao Z, Mao X, Cheng J, Huang L, et al. Advances in wound dressing based on electrospinning nanofibers. 2024;141(1):e54746.
3. Lu X, Zhou L, Song WJP. Recent progress of electrospun nanofiber dressing in the promotion of wound healing. 2024;16(18):2596.
4. Zheng Z, Zhang H, Yang J, Liu X, Chen L, Li W, et al. Recent advances in structural and functional design of electrospun nanofibers for wound healing. 2025.
5. ElGamal F. Nanofibers for Skin Regeneration and Wound Dressing Applications. Novel Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering: IntechOpen; 2024.
6. Palani N, Mendonce KC, Syed Altaf RR, Mohan A, Surya P, P M, et al. Next-generation smart wound dressings: AI integration, biosensors, and electrospun nanofibers for chronic wound therapy. 2025:1-51.
7. Fard GC, Gashti MP, Gupta RK, Dehdast SA, Shabani M, Martins AFJF. Multifunctional Fibers for Wound Dressings: A Review. 2025;13(8):100.
8. Ahmedy F, Sazuli NSAM, Kadir LA, Sarbatly RBH. Nanofiber Application in Wound Healing. Cutting-Edge Advances in Nanofibers and Fibers: Shaping Future Applications: IGI Global Scientific Publishing; 2025. p. 289-326.
9. Datta D, Bandi SP, Colaco V, Dhas N, Saha SS, Hussain SZ, et al. Cellulose-Based Nanofibers Infused with Biotherapeutics for Enhanced Wound-Healing Applications. 2025;5(2):80-104.
10. Farhadi M, Moghari S, Naqvi M, Khonakdar HAJPE, Science. Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Wound Dressings, Infection, and Diabetes Treatment: A Review. 2025.
11. Ferraz MPJAS. Wound dressing materials: bridging material science and clinical practice. 2025;15(4):1725.
12. Zamani S, Ehterami A, Vaez A, Naeiji M, Maghsoodifar H, Sadeghi douki SAH, et al. Natural and synthetic polymers in burn wound healing. 2025:1-66.
13. Niculescu A-G, Georgescu M, Marinas IC, Ustundag CB, Bertesteanu G, Pinteală M, et al. Therapeutic management of malignant wounds: an update. 2024;25(1):97-126.
14. Salehi M, Mirhaj M, Hoveizavi NB, Tavakoli M, Mahheidari NJJoC, Compounds. Advancements in Wound Dressings: The Role of Chitin/Chitosan-based Biocomposites. 2025;7(23).
15. Buriti BMAdB, Figueiredo PLB, Passos MF, da Silva JKRJP. Polymer-based wound dressings loaded with essential oil for the treatment of wounds: A review. 2024;17(7):897.
16. Kamysz W, Kleczkowska PJMS. Biological Macromolecule-Based Dressings for Combat Wounds: From Collagen to Growth Factors—A Review. 2025;13(3):106.
17. Parimi JL. Role of scaffolds in wound care and management. Nanotechnological Aspects for Next-Generation Wound Management: Elsevier; 2024. p. 169-92.
18. Yadav R, Kumar R, Kathpalia M, Ahmed B, Dua K, Gulati M, et al. Innovative approaches to wound healing: insights into interactive dressings and future directions. 2024;12(33):7977-8006.
19. Bukatuka CF, Mbituyimana B, Xiao L, Qaed Ahmed AA, Qi F, Adhikari M, et al. Recent Trends in the Application of Cellulose-Based Hemostatic and Wound Healing Dressings. 2025;16(5):151.
20. Nezhad-Mokhtari P, Rahbarghazi R, Hamishehkar H, Asadi P, Milani MJJoP, Environment t. Innovative Nanocomposite Scaffolds Containing ZIF-8 Nanoparticles for Improving Wound Healing: A Review. 2024;32(12):6211-34.
21. Tavakoli M, Labbaf S, Mirhaj M, Salehi S, Seifalian AM, Firuzeh MJJoAPS. Natural polymers in wound healing: From academic studies to commercial products. 2023;140(22):e53910.
22. Chen X, Huang H, Song X, Dong T, Yu J, Xu J, et al. Carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel-Janus nanofiber scaffolds with unidirectional storage-drainage of biofluid for accelerating full-thickness wound healing. 2024;331:121870.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Scientific Innovations
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
