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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy-PICO: Cosmesis in Repeat C-Sections

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Hypertrophic Skin Condition of Anterior Abdomen
Interventions
Other: Standard wound dressing
Device: PICO 7 dressing
Registration Number
NCT05266053
Lead Sponsor
Indiana University
Brief Summary

There are millions of births each year with 32% of women undergoing cesarean sections (C-sections), which results in skin scarring. Repeat C-sections increased by 178% from 1979-2010. Given the frequency of C-sections, it is important to achieve a desirable cosmetic outcome.

The PICO 7 dressing consists of a negative pressure wound therapy pump (NPWT) connected to an absorbent gentle adhesive dressing that is applied to a wound. When the pump is activated, it acts by pulling excess fluid from the wound. The dressing absorbs this fluid and helps to prevent bacteria from entering the wound. It has been shown to prevent wound infections and promote healing. This study aims to compare the aesthetic appearance by using The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scar assessment scale following closed incision negative pressure therapy with a PICO 7 dressing to the standard abdominal dressing in women undergoing repeat cesarean sections

Detailed Description

Single, randomized controlled trial in women undergoing a repeat cesarean delivery. Women will be randomized to placement of a PICO 7 dressing or a standard abdominal dressing at the time of cesarean. The standard abdominal dressing will be removed approximately on postoperative day (POD) 1-2 and the PICO 7 dressing will be removed approximately on POD 3-4 (prior to discharge). If the patient with a PICO dressing remains inpatient for longer than 7 postoperative days, the PICO dressing will be removed prior to POD 7, in accordance with device instructions. Participants in both groups will be sent POSAS surveys at the two, four and six week visit window with primary outcome being aesthetic appearance (cosmesis) at six weeks. Observers (healthcare providers) will complete a POSAS survey at the postpartum visit (\~4-6 weeks postoperative) to rate scar quality.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
24
Inclusion Criteria
  • Scheduled or non-labor repeat cesarean delivery
  • One or more prior cesarean section(s) with prior pfannenstiel incision scar
  • Gestational age > 23 weeks
  • Age 18 and older
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients with malignancy in the wound bed or margins of the wound

  • Non-enteric and unexplored fistulas

  • Necrotic tissue with eschar present

  • Exposed arteries, veins, nerves or organs

  • Exposed anastomotic sites

  • Cellulitis or evidence of active infection

  • Known allergy to adhesive tape

  • Patient unwilling to follow-up

  • Contraindication to NPWT

    • Bleeding disorder
    • Therapeutic anticoagulation
    • Allergy to any component of the dressing (perhaps list these as you will need to know to confirm eligibility of each patient)
    • Prior irradiated skin

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GroupStandard wound dressingStandard Intervention. This group will have a standard wound dressing (gauze, bandage) applied to their surgical wound site.
Treatment GroupPICO 7 dressingThis group will have a PICO negative pressure wound treatment device applied to their surgical wound site.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Subjective Cosmetic ResultWeek 6

Patients were evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment (POSAS) Scale.

Patient is asked as series of subjective questions regarding (vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, pliability, surface area). Participants respond with a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 as the most severe appearance and 1 as the least severe appearance. These scores are summed for a total value of 6 (total best outcome) through 60 (total worst outcome).

The full range provided reflects the actual collected data from the participants.

Patient Satisfaction With Wound AppearanceWeek 6

Scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being least satisfied and 10 being most satisfied

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Analog Pain Scores 48 Hours48 hours after surgery

Participants respond with a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 as most severe and 1 as not at all.

The full range provided reflects the actual collected data from the participants.

Analog Pain Scores @4 Weeks4 weeks after surgery at postpartum visit

Participants respond with a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 as the most severe and 1 being no pain at all.

The full range provided reflects the actual collected data from the participants.

Analog Pain Scores @6 Weeks6 weeks after surgery at postpartum visit

Participants respond with a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 as the most severe and 1 being no pain at all.

The full range provided reflects the actual collected data from the participants.

Incision Healing Complications up to 42 Days Postoperatively42 day after surgery

Number of Participants with Incision Healing Complications up to 42 Days Postoperatively

Procedure Time in MinutesStart of surgery until application of wound vac immediately post-procedure

Procedure time in minutes

Analog Pain Scores 72 Hours72 hours after surgery

Participants respond with a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 as the most severe and 1 being no pain at all.

The full range provided reflects the actual collected data from the participants.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Eskenazi Hospital

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

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