CompletedNot Applicable

Optimizing the Timing for Facial Surgical Dressing Removal

China144 participantsStarted 2025-06-15

Plain-language summary

What is this study about? You are being invited to participate in a clinical research study because you are scheduled to undergo a facial skin surgery for your health condition. Your surgeon will perform your operation independently, and your standard surgical procedure and follow-up visits will not be changed in any way by this study. The purpose of this research is to understand which postoperative care method is more beneficial for facial wound healing and for reducing scar formation. We aim to compare two common approaches for caring for the wound after surgery. Your participation will help doctors choose better care plans for future patients. What will happen in this study? If you agree to participate, you will be randomly assigned (like drawing lots) to one of two groups: Group A (Early Exposure Group): About 6 hours after your surgery, the doctor will remove the sterile gauze covering your wound. After this, you will need to keep the wound area clean and dry, and you will not use a gauze dressing to cover it. Group B (Continuous Coverage Group): After surgery, your wound will continue to be covered with sterile gauze. The doctor or nurse will change the dressing for you regularly until the sutures are removed around 7 days after surgery, or until it is decided to stop based on how the wound is healing. What will I need to do differently? Apart from the assigned wound care method described above, participating in this study involves only the following additions to your regular care: Before Surgery: You will be asked to fill out a simple questionnaire about your skin and undergo a quick, non-invasive skin measurement. During Follow-up Visits: You will be asked to fill out questionnaires and allow the study doctor to take photographs of your surgical area. These photos will be used only for analysis and record-keeping in this study. Your total time commitment for these extra activities is minimal. Participation is entirely voluntary, and your decision will not affect the quality of your medical care. Key Information: Your surgeon decides your operation. This study only involves postoperative wound care. Random Assignment: You cannot choose your group; it is decided randomly by a computer. Privacy: Your personal information and study data (including photos) will be kept strictly confidential and used only for this research. Potential Benefit: You may not benefit directly, but your participation will contribute to medical knowledge. Potential Risks: The risks are considered minimal and are similar to those of standard wound care. The study doctor will monitor your healing closely. You will receive a detailed informed consent form with more information. Please discuss any questions you have with the research team before deciding.

Who can participate

Age range

14 Years – 60 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: * Aged between 18 and 60 years * Clinically and postoperatively pathologically diagnosed with a benign facial lesion (e.g., melanocytic nevus, sebaceous cyst, seborrheic keratosis, etc.) and having undergone standard surgical treatment * Voluntarily agree to participate in this study and sign a written informed consent form * Commit to complying with all study procedures and cooperate to complete all follow-up visits and data collection Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically or postoperatively pathologically diagnosed with a malignant facial tumor * Wounds requiring staged excision or planned for secondary intention healing * Surgical site located on or immediately adjacent to a mucosal surface * Known history of allergy to surgical gauze dressings or related materials * Presence of systemic diseases that significantly impair wound healing (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes, immunodeficiency disorders, active infection, etc.) * Concurrent use of medications known to affect wound healing or scar formation (e.g., long-term use of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, etc.) * Pregnant or lactating women * Refusal to sign the informed consent form, or are anticipated to have difficulty complying with study follow-up and data collection * Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial * Any other factors deemed by the investigator as likely to interfere with the study results or increase the participant's risk

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

Incidence of Postoperative Edema

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Incidence of Postoperative Wound Suppuration

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Incidence of Postoperative Peri-wound Erythema

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Incidence of Postoperative Wound Tenderness

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Incidence of Postoperative Hemorrhage

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Incidence of Postoperative Ecchymosis

Timeframe: 7-day follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07441538

SponsorUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-01-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Nevus trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

14 Years – 60 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.