Aquacel AG Surgical trial: reducing wound infections after breast cancer surgery

One out of eight women will develop breast cancer, the majority of this group receives breast surgery. Each clinic has its own ‘standard’ postoperative wound care. Standard wound dressings can have undesirable side effects, like wound infections and blister formation, for example by changing the dressing on regular base. This study compares Aquacel AG Surgical with standard wound dressing. This occlusive dressing delivers ionic silver when in contact with the wound exudate and has an antibacterial effect, which makes less changing of the dressing needed. In our hospital infection rate after breast cancer surgery is 12-13%, several studies in literature mention 3-15%. Main goal of this study is to determine if the use of Aquacel AG Surgical reduces the occurrence of postoperative wound infections after breast cancer surgery.

see interventions

Included patients underwent breast surgery; breast ablative therapy or breast conservative therapy. All procedures were performed or supervised by senior surgeons with a case load of more than 50 per year. After surgery, patients got their allocated wound care: standard wound dressing, consisting of a gauze fixed with adhesive tape, or Aquacel Ag Surgical. Standard wound dressing was changed as often as needed, in patients opinion . Aquacel Ag Surgical was kept in place for 7 days, unless saturated by excessive exudate . After the 10th day of surgery, follow up took place at the outpatient clinic by an independent specialized nurse and the surgeon or surgical resident. The wound was inspected on the presence of infection following CDC criteria and patients filled out a questionnaire on patient satisfaction. Re-admissions/operations, extra ER /GP/outpatient clinic visits, the occurrence wound infections and use of antibiotics were scored 30 days after surgery during a phone consult. Patient records were checked for deep infections until the 90th day post-operative.