Could a 5-Minute nasal light zap stop surgical infections?
NCT ID NCT07189858
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed trial tested a device that uses light to kill germs in the nose before surgery, aiming to prevent surgical site infections. Over 400 adults having major surgeries received either the light treatment or standard care. Researchers tracked infections and side effects for 30 days after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nasal antimicrobial photodisinfection therapy (Steriwave device)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a quick, drug-free way to lower the chance of infections after surgery.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. The effect may vary by surgery type, and the device is not a substitute for standard hygiene measures.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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401 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Surgical patients, willing to sign the informed consent form and participate in the study. 2. ≥ 18 years of age 3. Presenting to an acute care hospital for major elective, urgent, or emergency surgery, defined as an open procedure involving a significant skin incision, including but not limited to the following types: 1. Cardiac 2. Vascular 3. Orthopedic, including spine and 'clean' trauma 4. Neurosurgery 5. Breast surgeries 4. Are able to follow instructions, comply with protocol requirements, and participate in all required study visits. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy (current) or currently lactating. If patient is unsure of pregnancy status, a negative urine or serum pregnancy test (sensitive to 25 IU hCG) should be obtained within 14 days prior to surgery. 2. Surgical indication of infection. 3. History of surgery within 90 days prior to enrollment. 4. Anticipated surgery other than the index surgical procedure prior to patient's completion of the study. 5. Use of other nasal decolonization procedures on the day of surgery prior to the index procedure (mupirocin, povidone iodine, alcohol, etc.). 6. Patient has any medical, social or psychiatric condition(s) or current substance abuse condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient's ability to provide informed consent, or to comply with the study requirements. 7. Enrollment in concomitant investigational research study in the past 30 days. Exclusion Criteria Specific to Treatment Group Patients Only: 8. Inability to tolerate insertion of the nasal light illuminator due to nasal obstructions or nares size, shape, or anatomical variants. 9. Known allergic reactions to components of the nasal disinfection treatment including methylene blue or chlorhexidine gluconate.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Foothills Medical Centre
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9, Canada
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Rockyview General Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, T2V 1P9, Canada
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Royal Columbian Hospital
New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 0A2, Canada
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University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2X8, Canada
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