Zhong, W.H., Tang, Q.F., Hu, L.Y., & Feng, H.X. (2013). Mepilex Lite dressings for managing acute radiation dermatitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: A systematic controlled clinical trial. Medical Oncology, 30, 761.
To compare the effectiveness of Mepilex® Lite dressings versus usual care in the time to healing of postirradiation dermatitis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
This was a systematic, inpatient, controlled clinical trial investigating the effect of Mepilex Lite dressings on radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer who were undergoing curative-intent radiotherapy.
Median time to wound healing was 16 days (95% CI 12–19 days) in the Mepilex Lite group and 23 days (95% CI 19–27 days) in the control group (p = 0.009). Initial wound size of greater than or equal to 10 cm2 (p = 0.005), lymph node classification of 3 (p < 0.001), and AJCC overall stage III and IV (p = 0.003) were associated with prolonged wound healing time. No signs of infection were identified in either group. Participants in the Mepilex Lite group had significantly less (X = 4.38) sleep problems than the control group (X = 7.23, p = 0.005). Wound pain was significantly less in the Mepilex Lite group (X = 5.31) as compared to the control group (X = 6.89, p = 0.02). There was no difference in the neck mobility and appearance disturbance between the treatment and control groups.
Mepilex Lite dressing provides a promising alternative in the treatment of radiation dermatitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and is worthy of further research.
This was a small, randomized, controlled clinical trial that was not blinded. Mepilex Lite dressing significantly decreased the time to wound healing of radiation dermatitis among individuals being treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Additional studies are needed in a large, more diverse population of patients with cancer.