Open Access Study protocol

Dressing wear time after breast reconstruction: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Daniela F Veiga1,2,6*, Joel Veiga-Filho2, Carlos Américo Veiga Damasceno3, Edilaine Maria Leci Sales3, Thiago B Morais2, Wânia E Almeida4, Neil F Novo5 and Lydia M Ferreira1

Author Affiliations

1 Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

2 Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí, Pouso Alegre, Brazil

3 Department of Microbiology, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí, Pouso Alegre, Brazil

4 Medical School, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí, Pouso Alegre, Brazil

5 Department of Bioestatistics, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí, Pouso Alegre, Brazil

6 Division of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 715, 4º andar, CEP 04024-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

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Trials 2013, 14:58 doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-58

Published: 22 February 2013

Abstract

Background

One of the major risk variables for surgical site infection is wound management. Understanding infection risk factors for breast operations is essential in order to develop infection-prevention strategies and improve surgical outcomes. The aim of this trial is to assess the influence of dressing wear time on surgical site infection rates and skin colonization. Patients’ perception at self-assessment will also be analyzed.

Methods/Design

This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. Two hundred breast cancer patients undergoing immediate or delayed breast reconstruction will be prospectively enrolled. Patients will be randomly allocated to group I (dressing removed on postoperative day one) or group II (dressing removed on postoperative day six). Surgical site infections will be defined by standard criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Skin colonization will be assessed by culture of samples collected at predefined time points. Patients will score dressing wear time with regard to safety, comfort and convenience.

Discussion

The evidence to support dressing standards for breast surgery wounds is empiric and scarce. CDC recommends protecting, with a sterile dressing for 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, a primarily closed incision, but there is no recommendation to cover this kind of incision beyond 48 hours, or on the appropriate time to shower or bathe with an uncovered incision. The results of the ongoing trial may support standard recommendations regarding dressing wear time after breast reconstruction.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: http://NCT01148823 webcite.

Keywords:
Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Postoperative care; Dressings; Surgical wound infection; Bacterial growth; Patient satisfaction