TY - JOUR T1 - Head and neck cancer fungating wounds: a novel odour transferrer JF - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO - BMJ Support Palliat Care DO - 10.1136/spcare-2022-003824 SP - bmjspcare-2022-003824 AU - Hisayuki Ota AU - Yushi Ueki AU - Keisuke Yamazaki AU - Ryusuke Shodo AU - Takeshi Takahashi AU - Yusuke Yokoyama AU - Arata Horii Y1 - 2022/08/26 UR - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2022/08/26/spcare-2022-003824.abstract N2 - 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. ER -