A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of different wound dressing materials used in the postoperative treatment of wounds after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A systematic literature search up to January 2022 incorporated 16 trials involving 2765 subjects after THA or TKA at the beginning of the study: 1447 were using active and interactive dressings, and 1318 were using passive dressings. The statistical tools like the dichotomous or continuous method were used within a random or fixed-influence model to establish the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the influence of different wound dressing materials used in postoperative treatment of wounds after THA and TKA. Active and interactive dressings had significantly lower overall wound complications (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.26-0.40, P < 0.001), number of dressing changes (MD, -1.53; 95% CI, -2.09 to -0.96, P < 0.001), and early dressing change need (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.47, P = 0.002) compared with passive dressings for subjects after THA and TKA. Active and interactive dressings had significantly lower overall wound complications, the number of dressing changes, and early dressing change need compared with passive dressings for subjects after THA and TKA. Furthermore, evidence is needed to confirm the outcomes.© 2022 The Authors. International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc (3M) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.