Fat Liquefaction: Effect of Early Use of Hydrocolloid on Abdominal Incision after Radical Cystectomy

Fat Liquefaction: Effect of Early Use of Hydrocolloid on Abdominal Incision after Radical Cystectomy

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the early use of hydrocolloid versus traditional gauzes to prevent fat liquefaction after radical cystectomy. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken between May 2014 and May 2015. After radical cystectomy, 45 patients were randomized to either hydrocolloid (n=24) or gauzes (n=21) to promote abdominal wound healing. Outcomes included the comparison of exudates of the incision and patients’ pain for dressing changing after 3, 6 and 9 days after the surgery. Wound outcomes, wound complications, times of dressing changing, expenses, and length of stay were compared at discharge. Statistical analysis: All data was analyzed with SPSS software (version 20.0). Continuous data were compared with non-parametric Wilcoxon test or two independent-samples T test, if appropriate. P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: All results of applying hydrocolloid demonstrated positive outcomes than gauze changing (P<0.05), especially on controlling exudates on the 6th day after surgery when the incision had the largest amount of exudates (P=0.004). 4 wounds had fat liquefaction and one wound had infection after the use of hydrocolloid, compared with 9 fat-liquefied wounds and 2 infectious wounds, respectively. The wound-healing rate of patients with hydrocolloid was 87.5% (23 out of 24), a figure much higher than the controlled subjects (P=0.049). Only 13 of 21(61.9%) abdominal incisions were healed through gauze compression. Conclusions: Considering the preventive application of hydrocolloid after radical cystectomy could reduce wound exudates, prevent fat liquefaction, reduce dressing changes, relieve pain, and lower the economical burden, this method could be considered to facilitate wound healing for patients after radical cystectomy.