Mak, S.S., Molassiotis, A., Wan, W.-M., Lee, I.Y.M., & Chan, E.S.J. (2000). The effects of hydrocolloid dressing and gentian violet on radiation-induced moist desquamation wound healing. Cancer Nursing, 23, 220–229.

To examine effectiveness of hydrocolloid dressing in the management of moist desquamation after radiation therapy is complete

Patients with moist desquamation were randomly assigned to one of two arms: hydrocolloid dressing (experimental group) or gentian violet (GV) (control group). Chemotherapy was used in stratifying patients for subgroup analysis.

• The study sample (N = 39) was comprised of male (n = 22) and female (n = 17) patients with neck, chest, axilla, or perineal area cancer.
• Mean age was 52.06 years for the hydrogel group (SD = 11.56 years) and 51.07 years for the GV group (SD = 10.41 years).
• Of patients in the sample, 30% also received chemotherapy.

The study took place at a hospital authority of Hong Kong.

The study used a randomized controlled trial design.

• Sites were documented initially and monitored using a tracing method for moist desquamation wounds.
• Healing time was indicated in days before skin integrity returned (re-epithelialization with absence of moist desquamation and burning).
• The wound area was traced on alternating days.
• Incidence of infection assessed erythema and edema, increased drainage, change in drainage, increase tenderness, fever, or leukocytosis.
• Pain was evaluated using a frequency scale of 1–3 intensity with Wong Baker faces.

• Chemotherapy showed worse effect on wound healing that was statistically significant (f = 4.4, p < 0.01)
• Wound size in assessments was smaller in the GV arm and trend of healing seen from second visit onward.
• Pain level was higher in hydrocolloid group.
• There was no statistically significant difference in wound healing time between groups.
• Wound size decreased quicker in the GV group.
• Patients had a higher satisfaction with hydrocolloid dressing for appearance and comfort.

GV was more effective in healing of moist desquamation but hydrocolloid was more comforting and pleasing.

• The study had a small sample size, with less than 50 participants.
• The experimental group had a larger percentage with use of chemotherapy in addition to radiation, and some patients with comorbid conditions that could have affected healing
• Assessment of the GV group relied on self-report.