WithdrawnNot Applicable

Outcomes Comparing Different Methods of Skin Closure in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Surgery.

Stopped: PI left the institution before any participants were enrolled.

United States0Started 2018-03

Plain-language summary

When patients undergo neck dissection surgeries, the current standard of care is to close the skin layer with either metal staples, which are removed a few days post-operatively, or with sutures, which can be absorbable or removed. To date, there is no conclusive data in the literature that definitively suggests one method is better than the other, with regard to wound complications or mature scar cosmesis. Currently, skin closure method is chosen by each individual surgeon, and is based on personal preference, factoring in evaluation of the wound. The goal of the study is to compare the two methods of skin closure, and the measured outcomes the investigators will be looking at are patient satisfaction, wound complications, and mature scar cosmesis. The investigators will be randomizing patients undergoing head and neck surgery to receive either staples or subcuticular sutures, and giving them surveys at their post-operative clinic visits to evaluate the outcomes, to determine if patients perceive one method to be superior to the other.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Able to provide informed consent * Ability to speak/read English language * Adult patients (age \> 18) * Willing to have follow-up appointments (per clinical care protocol) * Both genders Exclusion Criteria: * Prior radiation therapy to the head and neck region (prior to surgery) * Prior surgery to the head and neck region (at the judgement of investigator) * Pregnancy

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Survey (POSAS)

Timeframe: 2 years post-operative

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02936063

SponsorBoston Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2019-03

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Surgical Wound trials