Wound dressing in major head and neck cancer surgery: a prospective randomized study of gauze dressing vs sterile vaseline ointment

Abstract

A total of 207 patients were randomized in a prospective comparative study of standard gauze dressing vs sterile vaseline ointment. 179 patients were evaluable. All patients received antimicrobial prophylaxis. The two groups (86 standard and 93 vaseline) were comparable as far as age (mean, 57 yr; range, 21-84), genders (155 males/24 females), weight (mean, 66 kg; range, 40-69), type of surgery, previous or concomitant anticancer treatment. Severity of surgery was identical, as was the severity of cancer, in the two groups. Wound infection within 20 days of surgery occurred in 31.2% (29/93) of the vaseline group and 24.4% (21/86) in the standard group (NSS). Bacteremia occurred in three patients from the vaseline group and in four patients from the standard group. Bronchopneumonia occurred in 10 patients from the vaseline group and 14 patients in the standard group. The spectrum of microorganisms recovered was similar in the two groups. The need for antimicrobial treatment (empiric or for documented infections) within 20 days after surgery was 34.4% (32/93) in the vaseline group and 36.0% (31/86) in the standard group. The median delay to infection (range in days) in the vaseline group was 9 (5-15) for wound and 6 (1-12) for bronchopneumonia. For the standard group the corresponding delays were 8 (4-15) and 7 (2-19). Vaseline dressing was not associated with an increased risk of infection as compared to the standard gauze dressing.