Randomized, paired comparison of No-Sting Barrier Film versus sorbolene cream (10% glycerine) skin care during postmastectomy irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
Postmastectomy irradiation provides an excellent model for irradiated skin care practices because of the relatively uniform surface and radiation compared with other situations in which radiation-induced moist desquamation is common. We designed a study to test the effect of prophylactic 3M Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film (No-Sting) on the rates of moist desquamation compared with sorbolene cream (with 10% glycerin).


METHODS
The irradiated chest wall was divided into medial and lateral halves. Sixty-one women were randomized to have No-Sting applied to either the medial or lateral half, with the alternate half treated with sorbolene.


RESULTS
For all patients, the skin toxicity, calculated as the area under the curve, mean No-Sting and sorbolene score was 8.1 vs. 9.2, respectively (p = 0.005, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The total number of weeks of moist desquamation for the 61 patients was 40 vs. 45, equating to a mean of 0.65 week vs. 0.74 week per patient in the No-Sting and sorbolene-treated areas, respectively. The rates of moist desquamation were 33% vs. 46% (p = 0.096, McNemar's Exact test). For 58 fully assessable patients (minimum of 7 weekly observations), the area under the curve and rates of moist desquamation were significantly different statistically (p = 0.002 and 0.049, respectively). No statistically significant differences were noted in the pain scores. The pruritus scores were significantly reduced in the No-Sting area (area under the curve, p = 0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
No-Sting reduces the duration and frequency of radiation-induced moist desquamation.
Graham
Peter
P
Cancer Care Centre, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia. grahamp@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
Browne
Lois
L
Capp
Anne
A
Fox
Christopher
C
Graham
Jennifer
J
Hollis
Julie
J
Nasser
Elias
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004643:Emollients; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D005990:Glycerol