Mepilex Lite dressings for the management of radiation-induced erythema: a systematic inpatient controlled clinical trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Erythema occurs in 80-90% of women treated for breast cancer with radiation therapy. There is currently no standard treatment for radiation-induced skin reactions. This study investigates the clinical efficacy of Mepilex Lite dressings in reducing radiation-induced erythema in women with breast cancer. A total of 28 patients were recruited; of these, 24 participants presented with 34 erythematous areas of skin for analysis. When erythema was visible, each affected skin area was randomly divided into two similar halves: one half was treated using Mepilex Lite dressings, the other half with standard aqueous cream. Skin reactions were assessed by the RadiationInduced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale. We also evaluated any potential dose build-up by the dressings using a white water phantom, the dose distribution over the breast via thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and the surface skin temperature with an infrared thermographic scanner. Mepilex Lite dressings significantly reduced the severity of radiation-induced erythema compared with standard aqueous cream (p ,0.001), did not affect surface skin temperature and caused only a small (0.5 mm) dose build-up. TLD measurements showed that the inframammary fold was exposed to significantly higher doses of radiation than any other breast region (p ,0.0001). Mepilex dressings reduce radiation-induced erythema.

Randomized Intra-patient Controlled Trial of Mepilex Lite Dressings versus Aqueous Cream in Managing Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions Postmastectomy

“…In addition the dressings were very well tolerated by patients [13]. These results are consistent with previous case studies from Scotland and Stockholm [14].…”

“…The material does not react to chemicals in or on the skin, does not stick to open wounds and can be left on the skin for several days [14,15]. As we postulated in our previous trial [13], Mepilex Lite dressings reduce skin reactions by preventing additional mechanical damage (due to friction between damaged skin and clothing or other body parts) and chemical injury (due to perspiration trapped in skin folds to the basal layer) of the skin that has been sub-lethally damaged by radiation. This allows for repair of the fragile skin rather than exacerbating the damage.…”

“…We used the RISRAS in our pilot study [13] and found that it accurately differentiated between small differences in skin reactions. This scale consists of a researcher component and a patient component.…”

Amnion Liofilisasi Efektif Menyembuhkan Reaksi Kulit Akibat Radioterapi Pada Pasien Kanker

“…2 Namun saat ini belum terdapat obat yang bisa menjadi standar dalam penanganan reaksi kulit. 7,8 Cara mempertahankan hidrasi kulit dengan mengunakan berbagai moisturizer, krim barrier, aloe vera, lanolin, dan krim steroids. 9, 10 Peter menemukan bahwa sekitar 77,5% pasien sembuh dengan pemberian salep dan kompres basah.…”

Treatment of radiation-induced mucocutaneous toxicity

“…Up to now there is insuffi cient evidence to recommend specifi c dressings. Nevertheless silicon foam dressings have been shown to be eff ective compared to standard aqueous cream in breast cancer patients suff ering from erythema in one observational trial [5]. Mean size of moist desquamation and ulceration was signifi cantly smaller in patients receiving hydrocolloid dressings.…”