NCT02071251

A Study to Evaluate a Quality Improvement Intervention to Reduce Wound Separation Rates in Obese Gynecologic Oncology Service Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 105 (actual)
• Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 89 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Approximately 500,000 surgical site infections occur annually in the US. These lead to worse patient quality of life, more outpatient and emergency room visits, readmissions and home services, with an estimated increase in costs of at least $3500 per complication. Surgical site infections are associated with increasing body mass index. There is limited and conflicting data of the utility of multiple surgical interventions to decrease the risk of surgical site complications. The investigators explored the effect of a prospective care pathway for closure of vertical abdominal wounds on patient's wound complications.

Conditions

• Wound Complications
• Wound Infection
• Wound Separation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Prospective wound complication protocol	The skin and subcutaneous tissues were incised using a scalpel or cutting electrocautery. Use of coagulation current on the skin or subcutaneous tissues was not allowed, except focally to attain hemostasis. At the conclusion of surgery, a 7mm Jackson-Pratt drain was placed below Camper's fascia, which in turn was closed with 3-0 plain catgut suture. The skin was closed with staples. Dressings were retained for at least twenty-four hours. Staples were to be retained for at least two weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-12-01
• Primary completion: 2013-07-01
• Completion: 2013-07-01
• First posted: 2014-02-25
• Last updated: 2015-08-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States