Preliminary Experience with Oxygen-Enriched Oleic Matrix Breast-Shaped Dressings in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

TL;DR

This study explores a new type of dressing for breast surgery wounds that may improve healing and comfort without causing complications.

Contribution

The study introduces and evaluates a novel oxygen-enriched oleic matrix dressing for postoperative wound management in oncoplastic breast surgery.

Findings

The oxygen-enriched dressing was well tolerated and associated with good skin hydration and comfort.

No infections, hematomas, or reoperations were observed with the new dressing.

Patients and healthcare personnel reported favorable handling and comfort with the dressing.

Abstract

Wound-related issues such as delayed healing and patient discomfort remain common challenges in oncoplastic breast surgery and may negatively affect early postoperative recovery. This single-centre, retrospective, within-patient study explored the feasibility and safety of a breast-shaped polyurethane and polyester dressing impregnated with an oxygen-enriched oleic matrix, designed to provide a controlled, low-level release of reactive oxygen species involved in physiological tissue repair. Sixty patients undergoing unilateral lumpectomy with contralateral breast remodelling were included. The advanced dressing was applied to the oncologic breast, while standard premedicated patches were used on the contralateral side, allowing each patient to serve as her own control. Early postoperative outcomes, including wound dehiscence, infection, delayed healing, and qualitative user experience, were assessed descriptively over the first postoperative month. The oxygen-enriched oleic matrix dressing was well tolerated and associated with good skin hydration, comfort, and ease of use. No infections, hematomas, or reoperations were observed, and no relevant differences in early complication patterns emerged between the treated and control sides. Both patients and healthcare personnel reported favourable handling characteristics and comfort, with no device-related adverse events. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating findings suggest that oxygen-enriched oleic matrix breast-shaped dressings are a feasible and safe option for early postoperative wound management in oncoplastic breast surgery. Prospective, adequately powered multicentre studies are warranted to further investigate their potential role within standardized postoperative care pathways.

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