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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 May;407(3):1257-1262.
doi: 10.1007/s00423-022-02489-6. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Use of plastic adhesive skin drapes in cancer patients undergoing totally implantable vascular access port (TIVAP) placement-a randomized controlled pilot study

Sönke Scheunemann  1   2 , Lars Daenenfaust  3 , Mike Ralf Langenbach  4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Use of plastic adhesive skin drapes in cancer patients undergoing totally implantable vascular access port (TIVAP) placement-a randomized controlled pilot study

Sönke Scheunemann et al. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2022 May.

Abstract

Purpose: A totally implantable vascular access port (TIVAP) is commonly required in cancer patients. Possible adverse events after TIVAP implantation include surgical site infection (SSI) and port-related bacteremia. This study examined whether adhesive surgical drapes can reduce the risk of SSI.

Methods: A total of 100 mostly cancer patients were randomized into two groups before undergoing TIVAP implantation by surgical cut-down. In one group, an adhesive, non-impregnated drape was applied to the skin prior to incision, while the control group underwent surgery without a drape. Swabs were taken from the surgical site and sent for microbiologic testing. SSI rates were compared between groups.

Results: No SSI occurred within 30 days after surgery. In each group, two patients died. There were 5 complications (port thrombosis, port dislocation, two cases of pneumothorax, skin allergy), all in the intervention group (p = 0.056). Using the incision drape prolonged procedure time by + 5 min (95% CI - 1 to + 10, p = 0.125). Microbiologic swab testing failed to detect any effect of the incision drape.

Conclusions: Plastic adhesive skin drapes may be unnecessary in cancer patients who undergo surgical implantation of a TIVAP.

Keywords: Adhesives; Surgical drapes; Surgical wound infection; Venous cut-down.

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