Cutaneous Tumors Clinical Trial
Official title:
A Prospective Comparison of Suture Removal Time for Simple Surgical Defects of the Head and Neck
A single-center, prospective, randomized comparison with blinded assessment of cosmetic
outcome.
To compare cosmetic outcome of surgical defects of head and neck, repaired with
non-resorbable monofilament sutures from the aspect of suture removal time 7 and 14 days.
Data are gathered through a standardized form at the time of surgery concerning width and
length of the surgical excisions, and if the patient has any systemic cortisone treatment or
diabetes mellitus. At the time of surgery the patients are randomised to a suture time at 7
or 14 days postoperatively and all receive the same written information about postoperative
care and restrictions.
Photographs of the scars are taken one month and one year after the procedure and rated
using a visual analogue scale (VAS) by three independent assessors blinded to the
intervention and suture time. The width of the scar is measured after one ear.
Study hypothesis is that leaving non-resorbable monofilament sutures in clean surgical
wounds in the head and neck area for up to 14 days does not lead to poor cosmetic outcome.
Patients with cutaneous tumors undergoing excision of either a biopsy-proven or a suspected
cutaneous malignancy in the head and neck area were between April 2010 and November 2011
included in the trial. Patients were not included if they were less than 18 years old or if
skin flaps or grafts were used. For patients with several cutaneous changes removed at the
same time each excision was registered separately. The excisions were performed by 11
surgeons. Four surgeons performed 66% of all the procedures.
The assisting nurse documented data in a standardized form at wound closure. Patient factors
such as age, sex, diabetes and corticoid treatment was recorded. The width and the length of
the skin excision were measured, the number of sutures placed in the wound was counted and
the size of the needle was documented. Whether wound edges were undermined or not, whether
the excision was oriented in the natural skin tension line and whether subcuticular sutures
were used or not was recorded. Skin closure was with monofilament nylon (Ehilon®) sutures
(size 5.0 or 6.0). After the sutures were placed, adhesive tapes were placed perpendicular
to the wound edges. The location of each wound was marked on a cartoon for later use at
follow up. Patients were randomized in blocks of 8 to removal of sutures after either 7 or
14 days. Randomization was by opening sealed envelopes after wound closure.Thus the surgeons
were blinded to the suture removal time.
All Participants received written information about wound care on which they were instructed
not to wet the wound for 48 hour after the operation. After that they could take showers but
not take baths until the sutures were removed. After suture removal new adhesive tapes were
placed in the same manner as before and participants were informed to leave these in place
for at least 7 days and also to protect the scar from sunlight for at least 6 months. For
practical reasons patients with several excisions were randomized to one suture removal
time. Sutures were removed at the surgical department conducting the trial.
Photographs were taken at one and twelve months after skin closure. Photographs of the
wounds were taken in a standardized fashion at one month follow up by using a Canon EOS 550
by a research assistent. At the twelve month follow up the scar width was measured at three
points in the scar and a mean value was calculated. The photographs at the twelve month
follow up were taken by a professional photographer using Canon EOS Mark 2.
The images were assessed by two blinded otorhinolaryngologist an one blinded plastic surgeon
all three stationed at University Hospitals. Each image was rated twice. A validated visual
analogue scale (VAS) for overall cosmesis was used. The VAS is a 100-mm line with 0
representing the worst cosmetic outcome possible and 100 representing the best possible
result. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the 100-mm VAS is 10-25 mm.
Using the line as a continuous entity, the surgeons marked the line, where it in their
opinion best reflected the overall cosmetic outcome. The score was then measured in
millimeters from the 0 point. Raters were instructed to take into account variables such as
scar width, contour irregularities, step-off borders and presence of inflammation. Raters
were also asked to note (twice) whether they noticed puncture marks in the scars or not.
This study had a power of 90% to discriminate with a MCID of 15-mm on the VAS for which 37
patients/scars were required in each group (p=0.05). This was based on using a standard
deviation of 19.4 in a previous study using the VAS. Statistical analysis was performed with
computer software (Microsoft Excel 2011 and SPSS) together with a statistician from the
Department of Research and Development at Sundsvall hospital.
Ethical committee approval was granted for the study, and informed written consent was
obtained before patient participation. The study was conducted at an Otorhinolaryngology
division of the Surgical Center at Sundsvall Hospital receiving referrals from the
dermatology division, primary health sector and private practicing otorhinolaryngologists
(ORLs).
;
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
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