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Head and neck cancer fungating wounds: a novel odour transferrer
  1. Hisayuki Ota,
  2. Yushi Ueki,
  3. Keisuke Yamazaki,
  4. Ryusuke Shodo,
  5. Takeshi Takahashi,
  6. Yusuke Yokoyama and
  7. Arata Horii
  1. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Niigata University Faculty of Medicine Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Niigata, Japan
  1. Correspondence to Dr Yushi Ueki, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Niigata University Faculty of Medicine Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Niigata, Japan; ucuekin{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Objective The management for malodour of malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) in head and neck cancer (HNC) is unestablished. We evaluated the effects of a novel odour transferrer on malodour generated by MFWs in patients with HNC.

Methods A spray-type odour transferrer approved by the Japanese government for safe use in humans produces a good scent by binding to bad odour. The odour of MFWs in 13 patients with HNC was scored by 37 medical staff and the patients’ families using an odour scale ranging from 0 to 4 before and 1 week after application of the odour transferrer.

Results The odour score marked by all investigators (n=37), nurses (n=21) and doctors (n=11) decreased significantly (p<0.01). The odour score decreased by more than 2 points for 73% of all investigators after odour transferrer application.

Conclusion This novel odour transferrer functions as an effective deodorant for MFWs in patients with HNC. It can be used by non-medical staff and may benefit patients with bad odours arising from MFWs as well as their families and medical staff.

  • head and neck
  • hospice care
  • quality of life
  • supportive care
  • terminal care

https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2022-003824

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors Conception and design: HO, YU, KY, AH. Analysis and interpretation of data: HO, YU, KY, RS, TT, YY. Drafting of the manuscript: HO, YU, KY, AH. Final approval of the version to be published: all authors. YU had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.