Clinical Research Directory

Impact of Prontosan Wound Gel X on Surgical Site Infections in Cardiac Surgery

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Prontosan® Wound Gel X on the incidence of superficial surgical site infections (SSI) in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. The primary objective is to assess how the intraoperative application of the gel impacts the occurrence of SSIs, defined according to CDC/NHSN criteria. Secondary objectives include evaluating the length of hospital stay, the incidence of unplanned re-operations, and identifying any latent clinical subgroups through clustering analysis. The study will be conducted as a prospective, single-center, observational, post-market trial. The primary endpoint will be the incidence of SSIs during the post-operative hospitalization period, while secondary endpoints will focus on hospital stay duration, re-operation rates, and feasibility indicators such as adherence to the protocol and completeness of data collection. The study also includes an exploratory endpoint where hierarchical clustering will be used to identify clinical subgroups based on demographic, clinical, and procedural variables. Up to 456 adult patients will be enrolled, all of whom are undergoing elective cardiac surgery via median sternotomy at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato. The inclusion criteria include patients aged 18 or older, scheduled for surgery, and able to provide informed consent, with the clinical decision to use Prontosan® Wound Gel X during the surgery. Exclusion criteria involve urgent surgeries, participation in other interventional studies, known hypersensitivity to the gel components, or existing skin conditions incompatible with its use. The study duration is estimated to be approximately 18 months, depending on patient enrollment and discharge rates. The follow-up will align with the hospital stay, from the surgery date to discharge, with no post-discharge follow-up planned. Statistical analysis will include a binomial test to compare observed SSI rates with those reported in literature, while secondary data will be analyzed descriptively. An exploratory analysis will use clustering to explore latent clinical subgroups.

PAN-ICIS Study: ICIS for Early Detection of Infectious Complications in Pancreatic Surgery

This study examines a new blood test called ICIS, which may help detect infections earlier after pancreatic surgery. Patients will have routine blood samples taken during their hospital stay, with no extra procedures required. By tracking how ICIS changes over time, investigators aim to improve early infection detection, support safer recovery, and reduce postoperative complications.

PeRiOperative Medicine Platform Trial

Our specific aims are to investigate whether conservative (≤30%), intermediate (50%), or liberal (80%) inspired oxygen during and immediately after surgery: Aim 1: Reduces surgical site infections (SSIs or "wound infections") and other healthcare-associated infections (pneumonia and sepsis). Aim 2: Reduces a pooled composite of serious postoperative complications, leading to a faster and more complete recovery after surgery, and thus increases "days alive and at home up to 30 days after surgery" (DAH30). Primary hypothesis: Liberal (80%) oxygen concentration delivered with anesthesia in patients undergoing major surgery reduces the incidence of SSIs after surgery compared to conservative (≤30%) or intermediate (50%) oxygen concentration. Secondary hypothesis: Hyperoxia (50-80%) delivered with anesthesia in patients undergoing major surgery increases the incidence of pulmonary and other complications after surgery compared to conservative (≤30%) oxygen concentration, resulting in fewer Days At Home (DAH). PROMPT enrolls patients undergoing elective or semi-elective surgery.

Assessing the Effect of the Silver Dressing on Surgical Site Infections in Adult Patients Post Cardiac Surgery: a Single Center Randomized Control Trial

RCT on post-cardiac surgery patients using silver dressings vs. standard care. Conducted in ICU, CCU, telemetry units. Outcomes assessed via checklist \& modified Parsonnet Score. Descriptive \& inferential statistics for analysis.

Effect of High Dose Insulin on Infectious Complications Following Major Surgery

Despite improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, the high incidence of postoperative surgical site infections remains a major problem in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (liver, pancreatic and colorectal surgery). Using the hyperinsulinemic-normoglycemic clamp technique, i.e. continuous infusion of insulin combined with dextrose titrated to "clamp" blood glucose between 4 and 6 mmol/L, we successfully established and preserved normoglycemia during the perioperative period. Our objective of this study is to determine if the maintenance of perioperative normoglycemia by a hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamp reduces the rates of incisional and space/ surgical site infections following abdominal surgery (liver, pancreatic and colorectal surgery).