A double-blind within person randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 90 wounds in 22 subjects. All wounds were randomized to receive either sodium fusidate ointment or petrolatum following cauterization.
All eligible participants were randomized to be applied sodium fusidate ointment (intervention) or white petrolatum (control) on the lesions on their face with 1:1 ratio. Allocation sequence was generated by a statistician with a computer and it was concealed from the researchers and participants. The ointment was prepared and packaged by a pharmacist. Each pot was numbered in accordance with the allocation sequence. Electrosurgery was carried out using Ellman® Surgitron. Prior to the cauterization, we performed infiltration anesthesia around the lesion with Pehacain® (containing 20 mg of lidocaine and 0.0125 mg/ml epinephrine). The tissue was cleaned using sterile gauze or a cotton swab that had been moistened with 0.9% NaCl. Following electrosurgery, sodium fusidate ointment or petrolatum was applied to the wound according to the allocation sequence. The patient also received a wound care instruction sheet. This sheet contained information on how to wash the face or body properly, how to apply the ointment properly, what to avoid after procedure (rubbing the wound excessively, use make up, sweating excessively, and use other topical agents on the wound), and follow-up instructions (on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day). Each subject was given two or four pots of ointment that should be applied twice daily on the wound. Wound monitoring, which includes erythema, edema, crusting, re-epithelialization, total wound healing score, pus, and subjective symptoms was performed on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day. Erythema scores was also monitored immediately after electrosurgery. Monitoring can be done 1 day earlier or later than schedule in some cases since the wound healing phase is expected still the same. Clinical grading of each site was carried out using a 5-point analog scale for erythema, edema, crusting, re-epithelialization, and total wound healing score.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
22
Sodium fusidate 2% topical ointment was applied twice daily on the wound after cauterization for 14 days.
Petrolatum ointment was applied twice daily on the wound after cauterization for 14 days.
Dermatology and Venereology Clinic, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital
Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta, Indonesia
Wound healing score
Wound healing score was calculated based on the erythema, edema, crusts, and reepithelization. Wound healing score is as follows: 0-4 = very good/healed, 5-8 good/healed, 9-12 moderate/not healed, and 13-16 = poor/not healed
Time frame: 14 days
Erythema
Skin erythema around the wound, assessed with physical examination. Erythema score is as follows: 0 = no erythema, 1 = mild erythema (25%), 2 = moderate erythema (50%), 3 = severe erythema (75%), and 4 = very severe erythema (100%)
Time frame: 14 days
Edema
Edema on the wound area, assessed with physical examination. Edema score is as follows: 0 = no edema, 1 = mild edema (25%), 2 = moderate edema (50%), 3 = severe edema (75%), and 4 = very severe edema (100%)
Time frame: 14 days
Crusts
Presence of crusts on the surface of the wound, assessed with physical examination. Crusts score is as follows: 0 = none, 1 = a few (1-30%), 2 = moderate (31-60%), 3 = a lot (61-90%), and 4 = generalized (91-100%)
Time frame: 14 days
Reepithelization
Improvement of the wound characterized by decreasing size and depth of the wound, assessed with physical examination. Reepithelization score is as follows: 0 = complete (91-100%), 1 = good (61-90%), 2 = moderate (1-30%), and 4 = poor (0% or widening of the wound)
Time frame: 14 days
Incidence of infection
Presence of wound infection, established by findings of pain, erythema, edema, and poor reepithelization
Time frame: 14 days
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