Hegarty, F., & Wong, M. (2014). Polymeric membrane dressing for radiotherapy-induced skin reactions. British Journal of Nursing, 23, S38–S46.

To clinically evaluate the use of a polymeric membrane for the management of radiodermatitis in terms of skin integrity, management of desquamation, relief of pain and inflammation, and healing time

Patients with Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scores of 1–3 and early signs of skin reactions were followed for four weeks during treatment. Study data and patient assessments were obtained weekly. The polymeric dressing provided a mild cleansing agent activated by exudate that supported natural debridement. The dressing also contained glycerine, which provided moisture, and surfactant, which has been reported to reduce tension between healthy and unhealthy tissue.

• N = 23  
• MEAN AGE = 63.6 years (range = 38–82 years)
• MALES: 32%, FEMALES: 68%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Various tumor types including breast, head and neck, and prostate
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Highest radiotherapy dosage was 74 Gy in 37 fractions

• SITE: Single-site  
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: United Kingdom

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Observational

• Numeric pain scale
• Wong and Baker FACES^® scale
• Patient diary
• RTOG skin rating

From baseline to week 3, RTOG scores improved. Diary pain scoring showed an overall reduction in pain from an average of 6.5 to 1.6. Fixation of the dressing was a challenge, particularly among patients with breast and gynecologic cancers. Themes from a qualitative analysis of patient diaries identified skin improvement, a cooling effect of the dressing, and pain reduction.

Polymeric dressing use may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis.

• Small sample (< 30)
• Risk of bias (no control group)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no random assignment)
• Measurement/methods not well described
• Other limitations/explanation: The frequency and timing of dressing changes was not described. The way in which data were presented did not enable the reader to determine how many patients had a significant improvement or decline in skin condition, though group trends were shown. Who measured skin condition and how it was measured was not clear.

Polymeric dressings may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis. Additional, well designed, clearly reported studies are warranted. Keeping this specific dressing in place was found to be a challenge for some patients.