A multicentre randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of Dialkylcarbamoylchloride (DACC) coated post-operative dressings versus standard care in the prevention of Surgical Site Infection in clean or clean-contaminated, vascular surgery.

DRESSINg is a two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial comparing dialkylcarbamoylchloride (DACC) impregnated dressings versus standard care in the primary prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) in lower limb vascular surgery. The trial is funded by the Healthcare Infection Society Major Research Grant (MRG-2022-003).

Surgical site infections (SSI) are the second most common healthcare acquired infection, and affect up to 40% of vascular surgical procedures. Every SSI is distressing for patients, causing pain, reduced mobility, extended hospital stays and scarring. Vascular patients are at high risk of losing their limbs due to infection and are twice as likely to die in the postoperative period compared to those without infection. SSI are also associated with a 98% increase in length of stay for patients and a four-fold increase in the risk of being readmitted once discharged.

Primary outcome:

• The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) within 30 days of surgery

Secondary outcomes:

• Quality of life: using EQ-5D-3L and SF-36v2 at 30 days and 3 months post-surgery.
• Time to return to normal activity/work.
• 30-day mortality.
• Healthcare resource use
• Cost

Patients undergoing clean or clean-contaminated lower limb vascular surgery with wounds closed by primary intention, and aged 18 years and over, who are able to consent are eligible for inclusion. Those on antibiotics for conditions not related to the index procedure at operation or have an allergy to any component of trial dressings are ineligible.

The planned sample size is 718 participants and participants will be involved in the trial for 3 months. Local sites can register for the associate PI scheme if participating in this study.