Wound Infections in Breast Cancer Surgery After Preoperative Skin Preparation With Chlorhexidine vs. Povidone-iodine

September 3, 2021 updated by: Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano

A Randomized, Blinded, Single Center Study to Assess the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections in Breast Cancer Surgery After Preoperative Skin Preparation With Chlorhexidine 2% in Alcohol 70% (CHLORAPREP ®) Versus 10% Povidone-iodine

The development of surgical site infections (SSI) in clean-contaminated surgery is regarded as being preventable. Known to be effective in the prevention of surgical site infection are the adequate sterilization of the surgical instruments, asepsis during operation, antibiotic prophylaxis where indicated, and certainly the preparation of the skin at the incision site, since the patient's skin is the principal source of bacterial contamination of the wound. This study aims to investigate the efficacy in prevention of surgical site infection in clean surgery, using two different standardized methods of skin preparation: povidone-iodine 10% aqueous solution from 1.5 liter bulk bottle, versus tinted 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a single-dose applicator. To reduce the variables involved, a single-center study will enroll a homogeneous population, undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The development of surgical site infections (SSI) in clean-contaminated surgery is regarded as being preventable. Known to be effective in the prevention of surgical site infection are the adequate sterilization of the surgical instruments, asepsis during operation, antibiotic prophylaxis where indicated, and certainly the preparation of the skin at the incision site, since the patient's skin is the principal source of bacterial contamination of the wound. Products generally used for preoperative preparation of the skin are iodophores (povidone-iodine), and products containing alcohol and/or chlorhexidine.

To date, in the literature there are quite a number of case studies, but only few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare different methods of preparation of the skin at the site of surgery. Only recently a major study comparing between 2 modes of skin preparation before surgery has been performed and published, and at least 2 systematic reviews of various methods can be found. At present, the use of chlorhexidine in alcohol is seen to be more effective than povidone-iodine in the prevention of surgical site infection, but the data derived from the available studies are not sufficient to definitely support a change in the daily practice, and quantitative evaluation of pharmaco-economics implications are still missing.

This study aims to investigate the efficacy in prevention of surgical site infection in clean surgery, using two different standardized methods of skin preparation: povidone-iodine 10% aqueous solution from 1.5 liter bulk bottle, versus tinted 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a single-dose applicator. To reduce the variables involved, a single-center study will enroll a homogeneous population, undergoing breast cancer surgery.

The patients included in this study will be randomized according to the week in which they will receive surgical treatment. The investigators expect this approach to be easier to manage within this study. The randomly assigned treatment will be weekly communicated to the chief nurse of the operating theatre who will supply the proper disinfectant without any other role in the study.

All patients will be scheduled for at least one follow up visit after about 2 weeks after surgery. All patients have access to more follow up visits, if needed, and will be asked to report all kind of wound complications.

The wound assessment will be made by persons not aware of the treatment arm the patient was assigned to, and a defined protocol assessment, based on Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) definitions, which provides the following classification:

  1. absence of infection;
  2. superficial wound infection;
  3. deep wound infection. The final follow-up visit during which the patient will be evaluated will be conducted at 30 days (for patients without insertion of prosthesis / expander) and at 180 days (for patients with the insertion of implants / expander).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
2158

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Italy
    • Mi
      • Milan, Mi, Italy, 20133
        • Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients undergoing breast surgery at the Fondazione IRCCS National Cancer Institute in Milan (Italy), with or without reconstructive surgery / prosthesis or expander insertion
  • Acceptance of the procedures of the protocol
  • Signature of informed consent for the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusal of the patient
  • Age < 18 years
  • Pregnancy
  • Patients undergoing abdominal DIEP flap reconstruction
  • Allergy to one of the disinfectants;
  • Pre-existing infection in any body site

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Chloraprep
Preoperative skin preparation with chlorhexidine 2% in alcohol 70% solution
Drug: Chlorhexidine
Preoperative skin preparation with tinted chlorhexidine gluconate 2% in 70% isopropyl alcohol administered with single-dose applicator
Other Names:
  • Chloraprep (Carefusion)
Active Comparator: Povidone-iodine
Preoperative skin preparation with povidone-iodine 10% solution
Drug: Povidone-Iodine
Preoperative skin preparation with povidone-iodine 10% aqueous solution
Other Names:
  • Betadine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of wound infection after surgery (composite outcome)
Time Frame: 30 days after surgery without breast implant and 180 days after surgery with implant
Overall incidence of surgical site infections after surgery
30 days after surgery without breast implant and 180 days after surgery with implant

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of deep surgical site infection after surgery without implant
Time Frame: 30 days after surgery
Overall incidence of surgical site infections after surgery without implant
30 days after surgery
Incidence of deep surgical site infection after surgery with implant
Time Frame: 180 days after surgery
Overall incidence of surgical site infections after surgery with implant
180 days after surgery
Risk factors for surgical site infection evaluation
Time Frame: 30 and 180 days after surgery
Multivariate analysis of risk factors: presence or absence of implant, previous chemotherapy treatment, previous radiotherapy treatment, American Society Association class > 2, length of surgery > 2 hours, body mass index > 35, diabetes mellitus
30 and 180 days after surgery
Analysis of extra-cost indicators
Time Frame: 180 days after surgery
Record of number of additional hospital admission due to wound infection; Length of hospital stay; Need for additional surgery due to wound infection;Days of additional antibiotic therapy due to wound infection
180 days after surgery

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cost-effective analysis
Time Frame: 180 days after surgery
Cost-effective analysis if one treatment proves significantly superior to the other
180 days after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Martin Langer, Prof, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 15, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 19, 2015

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 24, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 9, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 3, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • INT-81/12
  • 2012-002460-27 (EudraCT Number)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Breast Neoplasms

Clinical Trials on Chlorhexidine

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings