TY - JOUR
T1 - Randomized comparison of dry dressings versus hydrogel in management of radiation-induced moist desquamation
AU - Macmillan, Maureen S.
AU - Wells, Mary
AU - MacBride, Sheila
AU - Raab, Gillian M.
AU - Munro, Alastair
AU - MacDougall, Hugh
N1 - dc.publisher: Elsevier
This paper reports on the 2nd phase of the largest RCT conducted in this area (see output number 2). It provides robust evidence to support practice in an under-researched but extremely common problem. Research Group 4 - Quality of Life and Quality of Care in Acute and Chronic Illness.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - Purpose: We present the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effect of a hydrogel or dry dressing on the time to healing of moist desquamation after radiotherapy to the head-and-neck, breast, or anorectal areas. Methods and Materials: A total of 357 patients were randomized before radiotherapy to receive simple dry dressings (Tricotex) or a hydrogel (Intrasite), with Tricotex as a secondary dressing. Patients were instructed to use their dressings from the onset of moist desquamation, if it occurred. Results: Of the 357 patients, 100 (28%) developed moist desquamation. The time to healing was significantly prolonged (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.99), in patients assigned to gel dressings. No evidence was found that gel dressings had a significant impact on subjectively reported skin symptoms. Conclusion: The results of this study have not supported the routine use of hydrogels in the care of patients with moist desquamation and suggests that the healing times are prolonged, without any improvement in patient comfort.
AB - Purpose: We present the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effect of a hydrogel or dry dressing on the time to healing of moist desquamation after radiotherapy to the head-and-neck, breast, or anorectal areas. Methods and Materials: A total of 357 patients were randomized before radiotherapy to receive simple dry dressings (Tricotex) or a hydrogel (Intrasite), with Tricotex as a secondary dressing. Patients were instructed to use their dressings from the onset of moist desquamation, if it occurred. Results: Of the 357 patients, 100 (28%) developed moist desquamation. The time to healing was significantly prolonged (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.99), in patients assigned to gel dressings. No evidence was found that gel dressings had a significant impact on subjectively reported skin symptoms. Conclusion: The results of this study have not supported the routine use of hydrogels in the care of patients with moist desquamation and suggests that the healing times are prolonged, without any improvement in patient comfort.
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Skin care
KW - Acute toxicity
KW - Moist desquamation
KW - Wound healing
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.12.049
DO - 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.12.049
M3 - Article
VL - 68
SP - 864
EP - 872
JO - International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
JF - International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
SN - 0360-3016
IS - 3
ER -