Mak, S.S., Zee, C.Y., Molassiotis, A., Chan, S.J., Leung, S.F., Mo, K.F., & Johnson, P.J. (2005). A comparison of wound treatments in nasopharyngeal cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. Cancer Nursing, 28, 436–445.

To compare the effectiveness of gentian violet (GV) and non-adherent absorbent dressing in the healing of moist desquamation

The study group were patients with moist desquamation after irradiation. Wounds were cleansed with 0.9% saline at each visit after completion of the assessment by the nurse. Then a nonadherent dressing was applied and secured with tape. Patients applied the dressing on days they were not seen by the nurse. The control group were patients taught to make homemade salted water, who rinsed the wound and then applied GV. Wound culture was taken at the entry of the study and as needed based on signs of infection.

• The study sample (N = 142) was comprised of male (87%) and female (13%) patients with head and neck cancers who were assigned to the study group (n = 73) or the control group (n = 69).
• Mean age was 54.09 years (SD = 13.9 years) in the study group and 53.07 years (SD = 11.31 years) in the control group.

The study took place at Prince of Wales Hospital at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The study used a randomized controlled trial open label design.

• Wound healing, healing time, and presence of infection were assessed through erythema, increased drainage, purulent drainage, increase tenderness, and fever and leukocytosis,
• Wound pain was measured on a 0–5 scale.
• Affect of mood changes, restriction of neck movement, social isolation, sleep problems, and disturbance in body image were also reported.

No significant differences were found between groups regarding wound healing, healing time, impact of mood changes, social isolation, sleep problems, disturbance in body image, or restriction of neck movement. Initial wound size was greater than 10 cm². Higher dose of radiation and overall stage were an independent determinant of prolonged time to wound healing. The dressing was not a factor. 

The study did not support the use of hydrogel dressings in the care of patients with moist desquamation.

• Patient compliance in self-care was not assessed.
• Large range in dose administration of the radiation therapy, which would be expected to influence results.