Standard Versus Advanced Antimicrobial Dressing Containing Ionic Silver Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Surgical Sites Infections Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery. A Randomized Prospective Trial Comparing Standard and Advanced Antimicrobial Dressing Containing Ionic Silver.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with hydrofibre dressing in comparison with the efficacy of standard dressing in terms of prevalence of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients who underwent colorectal resection for malignancy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients bearing solid tumours who are candidate to open radical surgery for colorectal cancer (histology proven)
• Age 18-75
• Informed signed consent
• Performance Status 0-2 (according to ECOG score)
• Platelets > 50.000/mm3
• Prothrombin Time (Quick) > 60%
• White Blood Cells > 2500/mm3
• Life Expectancy > 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intestinal obstruction
• Severe intestinal bleeding requiring blood transfusion
• Age under 18 or over 75
• Severe hepatic failure (ascites, portal hypertension, jaundice or encephalopathy)
• Renal failure (hemodialysis, creatinin > 2.5 mg/dL)
• Active infections
• Coagulopathy
• Inability to give an informed consent
• Known allergies to dressing components