No more bandages? study tests leaving surgical wounds uncovered after GI surgery
NCT ID NCT06263205
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether it's safe to stop changing wound dressings after gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Over 1,100 adults were randomly assigned to either have their wound dressing removed after 48 hours and left uncovered, or to receive routine dressing changes every two days. The goal was to see if the no-dressing approach was just as good at preventing wound complications, while also reducing pain and costs. The results could lead to simpler, more comfortable post-surgery care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- no wound dressing change (procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that leaving surgical wounds uncovered after 48 hours is safe, reduces pain, and cuts unnecessary costs for patients recovering from gastrointestinal cancer surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed non-inferiority trial, so results are available but may not apply to all surgeries or patients. The approach might increase infection risk in certain individuals, and the findings need confirmation in broader populations.
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
-
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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1,138 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. Aged between 18 and 75 years. 2. Having undergone elective gastrointestinal surgery for gastrointestinal cancer (histologically confirmed) within the past 24 hours. 3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 0 or 1. 4. Possessing sufficient cognitive ability to understand the study protocol and voluntarily signing a written informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Presence of significant barriers to completing postoperative follow-up (e.g., severe sensory/cognitive impairment, inability to adhere to follow-up plan, lack of reliable contact methods, residence \>6 hours from study center). 2. Concurrent active skin diseases that may affect wound healing (e.g., psoriasis, chronic eczema, atopic dermatitis) located at or near the surgical incision site. 3. History of major abdominal trauma or prior abdominal surgery resulting in abdominal wall deformity or extensive scarring that may affect incision healing or assessment. 4. Current diagnosis of any other uncontrolled severe comorbid conditions (e.g., uncontrolled other malignant tumors, acute or persistent chronic infections) that may pose additional risks or confound study outcomes. 5. Planned or ongoing receipt of any other anticancer treatments (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy, radiotherapy) or long-term immunosuppressive therapy during the perioperative period. 6. Current long-term or high-dose use of systemic corticosteroids or any other medications that may significantly affect wound healing (topical/inhaled/low-dose steroids allowed if assessed by investigator).
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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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Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200433, China
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Changzheng Hospital, Navy Medical University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200003, China
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Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 2000000, China
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Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200120, China
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