262 patients undergoing primary TKA or THA were randomized to receive either occlusive or standard surgical dressings for wound healing. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of wound complications, need for subsequent care and dressing changes, and patient satisfaction between the groups. The results indicated that occlusive dressings produced significantly lower rates of wound complications and higher patient satisfaction. The groups did not differ in terms of additional wound care or number of dressing changes, but the overall findings indicate that occlusive dressings may be an advantageous method of optimizing would healing.