Sternal Wound InfectionPhase 4NCT04500275
Topical Vancomycin Over Sternal Edge in Cardiac Surgery
A Phase 4 study testing Vancomycin Hydrochloride and Normal Saline in people with Sternal Wound Infection, run by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
This is a single-blind 1:1 randomized controlled trial based on the hypothesis that topical application of vancomycin paste over sternum edge is safe and can reduce sternal wound infection after elective cardiac surgery. Vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5 g of vancomycin mixed with 2 ml normal saline. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Sternal Wound Infection
- What is being tested?
- Vancomycin Hydrochloride and Normal Saline
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 360 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2020to 31 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- All adult patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery via first-time full sternotomy, such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, aortic aneurysm.
Who cannot join
- redo sternotomy surgery
- minimal invasive or non-full-sternotomy cardiac surgery
- emergent surgery with preoperative shock or cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- heart transplant or ventricular assist device surgery
- patients who have any preoperative mechanical support including IABP, ECMO, or ventricular assist device
- evidence of Vancomycin allergy
Show all 9Show fewer
- preexisting infection requiring preoperative regular antibiotics
- perioperative immunosuppressive requirement
- Patients with known cephalosporin or beta-lactam allergy who requires Vancomycin plus Gentamicin for intravenous prophylaxis will also be excluded because the intravenous Vancomycin will affect the further measurement of serum Vancomycin level after topical application
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Topical Vancomycin Paste Over Sternal Edge: Safety and Effect of on Incidence of Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiac Surgery
This is a single-blind 1:1 randomized controlled trial based on the hypothesis that topical application of vancomycin paste over sternum edge is safe and can reduce sternal wound infection after elective cardiac surgery. Vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5 g of vancomycin mixed with 2 ml normal saline. Vancomycin paste as control or 2 ml normal saline as placebo will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. The safety of Vancomycin paste over sternum edge will be assessed according to postoperative serum Vancomycin exposure and potential side effects such as renal toxicity or bacterial resistance. Effect of topical Vancomycin on incidence of postoperative sternal wound infection will be assessed on postoperative 7, 30, and 90 days.
Read the detailed description
- Patient Recruitment and Group Assignment
- Institution. All the surgical procedures will be undertaken in the National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) under service of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department. The patient monitoring will be carried out perioperatively in the general ward and intensive surgical unit (ICU, surgical or cardiac) of National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
- Eligibility Criteria. Described in other section.
- Randomization. Eligible patients will be 1:1 randomized using a computer-generated list to receive either normal saline (Control group) or Vancomycin Paste (Vancomycin group). A randomization list with corresponding patient recruitment number will be archived in NCKUH pharmacy. On the operating day, our research coordinator will order a study prescription, which looks identical to either control or Vancomycin group. The pharmacy will deliver the prescription content according to the patient recruitment number on the randomization list. The surgeons will know the patient grouping only after they get the prescription content in the operating room.
- Blinding. The intraoperative staff including the surgeon will know the application material for the patients. The patient and the nursing staff in charge of sternal wound evaluation will not know the allocation of patients.
- Sample Size Determination. The average incidence of DSWI after isolated CABG in NCKUH is 3-4% in recent 5 years. An expected reduction of DSWI from 4% to 1% leads to an effect size of 0.15, which will require a total sample size of 330 to achieve a statistical power of 0.8 given an alpha error probability of 0.05 and 1 degree of freedom. (Estimation with G*Power software). Considering the potential patient withdrawals, our planned sample collection will be 360 cases (180 in each group) in two years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Intervention (1) Vancomycin group protocol. i. Timing of application: the Vancomycin® (China Chemical \& Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CCPC / Taiwab) paste will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. ii. Regimen: The vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5g of vancomycin mixed with 2ml normal saline for each time. A total of 5gm of vancomycin® powder will be applied. (2) Control group protocol. 2ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. (3) Common perioperative protocols in both groups regarding sternal wound infection prevention: i. Intravenous antibiotics: Cefazolin 1g q8h for 24hrs. Patients with known cephalosporin or beta-lactam allergy will receive single dose Vancomycin plus Gentamicin. ii. Skin preparation: Skin shave will be performed on the operation day after injection of prophylactic antibiotics. Skin sterilization will be prepared with alcohol beta-iodine scrub followed by Hibitane (Chlorhexidine Gluconate). iii. Bone wax: bone wax usage for hemostasis will be minimized and be removed as much as possible before sternal closure. iv. Internal mammary artery harvest: Bilateral internal mammary arteries will be used at the discretion of the individual surgeon.
- Sternum closure: our standard is 8 single wires closure. Replacement of any 2 single wires with a figure of eight wire or addition of Robicsek technique will depend on the decision of the individual surgeon. vi. Subcutaneous and skin closure: interrupted Vircyl for subcutaneous closure and staples for skin. vii. Blood glucose control: intravenous insulin infusions to maintain serum blood glucose level between 120 and 180 mg/dL. viii. Chest hugger: postoperative chest hugger will be used according to the preference of the individual patient. ix. Delayed sternal closure: The decision is based on the discretion of the individual surgeon. If a delayed closure is attempted, the vancomycin paste will still be applied over the unclosed sternal edge.
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- Outcome Measurement. Details described in other section. (1) Sternal wound. Measurement on postoperative day (POD) 7, 30, and 90, based on the definition from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2) Serum Vancomycin levels. Sampling time: postoperative day 0, 3 and 7. Measurement: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
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- Data and Registry.
- Data dictionary. Each variable in a row, presented in the following order: Variable, Coding Information, Range (numeric data) or Levels (categorial data), Information Source i. Sex, Sex, M or F, Electrical Medical Record ii. Age, Age, 20 - 100, Electrical Medical Record iii. Height, Body Height, 100 - 200, Electrical Medical Record iv. Weight, Body Weight, 30 - 150, Electrical Medical Record
- DM, Diabetes Mellitus, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record vi. DM control, Diabetes Mellitus control method, 0 or Oral or Insulin, Electrical Medical Record vii. HTN, Hypertension, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record viii. PAOD, Peripheral artery occlusion disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record ix. Dialysis, Dialysis, 0 or HD or PD, Electrical Medical Record
- OldCVA, Old Cerebral Vascular Accident, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xi. CarotidStenosis, Carotid Artery Stenosis, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xii. LiverDisease, Liver Disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xiii. COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulomnary Disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xiv. Alcohol, Alcohol consumption, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xv. Tobacco, Tobacco use, Never or Current or Former, Electrical Medical Record xvi. NYHA, NYHA Functional Class, 1, 2, 3, 4, Electrical Medical Record xvii. Afib, Atrial Fibrillation; paroxysmal, persistent, permanent, Electrical Medical Record xviii. LVEF, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction on preoperative echocardiography(%); 1 - 100, Electrical Medical Record xix. Procedure, Surgical Procedure, "AVR MVR DVR CABG Aorta others", Electrical Medical Record xx. XCtime, Cross-Clamp time (mins), 0 - 1000, Electrical Medical Record xxi. CPBtime, Cardiopulmonary bypass time (mins), 0 - 1000, Electrical Medical Record xxii. delay.closure, delayed sternal closure, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxiii. SIMA, Single internal mammary artery graft, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxiv. BIMA, Bilateral internal mammary artery graft, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxv. BUN, Blood Urea Nitrogen , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxvi. Cr, Serum Creatinine , 0 - 20, Hospital Lab xxvii.AST, Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxviii.ALT, Serum Alanine Aminotransferase level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxix. WBC, White blood cell count , 0 - 10, Hospital Lab xxx. Albumin, serumAlbumin , 0 - 10, Hospital Lab xxxi. Prealbumin, Serum Prealbumin level , 0 - 50, Hospital Lab xxxii.TRF, Serum Transferrin level , 0 - 200, Hospital Lab xxxiii.Serum Zinc level, Serum Zinc level , 70-120, Hospital Lab xxxiv.TG, serum triglycerol level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxv.CHOL, serum CHOL level, 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxvi.HDL, serum high density lipoprotein level , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxxvii.LDL, serum low density lipoprotein level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxviii.HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c level , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxxix.Vanco.POD0, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 0, 0 - 50, Study lab xl. Vanco.POD3, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 3, 0 - 50, Study lab xli. Vanco.POD7, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 7, 0 - 50, Study lab xlii. Stroke, postoperative Stroke, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xliii. Bacteremia, postoperative Bacteremia, 0 or the bacteria species, Electrical Medical Record xliv. Pneumonia, postoperative Pneumonia, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xlv. Resistance.pathogen, Resistance pathogen, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xlvi. Intubation.days, Intubation days, 0 - 100, Electrical Medical Record xlvii. Mechanical.support.type, postoperative Mechanical support type, "IABP ECMO VAD", Electrical Medical Record xlviii. Parenteral.nutrition, postoperative Parenteral nutrition, 0 or PPN or TPN, Electrical Medical Record xlix. ICU.days, ICU days, 1-100, Electrical Medical Record
- Hospital.days, Hospital days, 1-100, Electrical Medical Record li. ThirtyDays.mortality, 30 days mortality, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record lii. Hospital.mortality, Hospital mortality, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record liii. Wound.POD7, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 7, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner liv. Wound.POD30, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 30, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner lv. Wound.POD90, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 90, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner
- Data Collection:
- Clinical parameters collection. All patient demographic data and parameters of STS (society of thoracic surgery) database will be recorded, such as age, sex, cause of cardiac diseases, co-morbidities, concurrent medication, body mass index, nutrition status, operation details, days of hospital and ICU stay, hospital cost, any surgical complications, and any documented infection and their microbiology susceptibility test results. ii. Biochemistry and blood cell count. Data such as creatinine levels, fasting sugar levels, HbA1C, liver enzymes, nutrition status, and white cell count will be measured on postoperative day 0, 3, and 7 in the central laboratory of National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
- Data management. i. Two registrars are responsible for data registry. Data are stored in spread sheet format. ii. Missing Data. All data source are available in NCKUH's electrical medical record. Any variable with missing data more than 3% will be dropped.
- Report for adverse events. The investigators are responsible for adverse events reporting to our institution review board (NCKUH IRB). The reporting procedure is generally based on the form from the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). The definition and requirement for Serious Adverse Event (SAE), Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR), and Unanticipated Problems (UP), are available at our IRB website: http://nckuhirb.med.ncku.edu.tw/upload/download/file20191217230754.pdf.
- Quality assurance. This is a single institution study. Quality assurance will be done by monthly investigator meeting in our hospital, which including the following:
- Data checks. Monthly data visualization report, either histogram for continuous variable or bar chart for categorial variable, will be used for detection of any data running out of range or having inconsistency with predefined rules. ii. Source data verification. Accuracy and completeness of the registry data will be double checked by the primary care nursing practitioners by comparison with the electrical medical record system. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Data Analysis, Statistical and Pharmacokinetic Analysis
- For clinical data, continuous variables are expressed are as means ± standard deviation and analyzed with t-test. Categorical variables are presented as numbers (percentages) and Pearson's χ 2 or Fisher's exact test was used where appropriate. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model and Cox model will be used to analyze risk factors for sternal wound infection. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using R, version 3.2.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.).
- For serum Vancomycin levels, non-compartmental analysis will be conducted with WinNonlin software (www.certara.com). The population pharmacokinetics will be analyzed with nonlinear mixed-effects modeling using in NONMEN 7.3 (Icon Development Solutions, Hanover, MD). Xpose (xpose.sourceforge.net), PsN (psn.sourceforge.net), and R, version 3.2.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.) were used for postprocessing of NONMEM output.
- Conditions
- Sternal Wound Infection
- Being tested
- Vancomycin Hydrochloride, Normal Saline
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vancomycin HydrochlorideDrug
Also called vancomycin® (China Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CCPC / Taiwan))
Vancomycin will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure
Normal SalineOther
Also called Isotonic Sodium chloride 0.9% 20ml/amp (Sintong Taiwan Biotech Company, Limited.)
2 ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vancomycin group | Experimental | i. Timing of application: the Vancomycin (China Chemical \& Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., CCPC, Taiwan R.O.C.) paste will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure.
ii. Regimen: The Vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5 g of Vancomycin powder mixed with 2 ml normal saline for each time. A total of 5 g of Vancomycin powder will be applied during the cardiac surgery. Receives: Drug: Vancomycin Hydrochloride |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | 2 ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. Receives: Other: Normal Saline |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 7
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI).
- Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI).
- A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained.
The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
Measured: postoperative day 7
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 30
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI).
- Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI).
- A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained.
The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
Measured: postoperative day 30
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 90
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI).
- Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI).
- A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained.
The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
Measured: postoperative day 90
Secondary outcomes (3)
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 0
Serum Vancomycin concentration (mcg/mL) measured with HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)
Measured: postoperative day 0
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 3
Serum Vancomycin concentration (mcg/mL) measured with HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)
Measured: postoperative day 3
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 7
Serum Vancomycin concentration (mcg/mL) measured with HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)
Measured: postoperative day 7
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2020
- Study start1 Jul 2020
- Primary completion31 Mar 2025
- Study completion31 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sternal Wound InfectionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 360 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Meng-Ta Tsai, National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
- Investigators
- MENG-TA TSAI, MD, Principal investigator, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04500275
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- A-BR-109-013
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 10 Jul 2020
- Last updated
- 8 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Lazar HL, Ketchedjian A, Haime M, Karlson K, Cabral H. Topical vancomycin in combination with perioperative antibiotics and tight glycemic control helps to eliminate sternal wound infections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Sep;148(3):1035-8; 1038-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.06.045. Epub 2014 Jul 2.
PubMed 25129595Lazar HL, Barlam T, Cabral H. The effect of topical vancomycin applied to sternotomy incisions on postoperative serum vancomycin levels. J Card Surg. 2011 Sep;26(5):461-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2011.01300.x.
PubMed 21951032Lander HL, Ejiofor JI, McGurk S, Tsuyoshi K, Shekar P, Body SC. Vancomycin Paste Does Not Reduce the Incidence of Deep Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiac Operations. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Feb;103(2):497-503. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.10.020. Epub 2016 Dec 24.
PubMed 28027730Vander Salm TJ, Okike ON, Pasque MK, Pezzella AT, Lew R, Traina V, Mathieu R. Reduction of sternal infection by application of topical vancomycin. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1989 Oct;98(4):618-22.
PubMed 2796369Lazar HL, Salm TV, Engelman R, Orgill D, Gordon S. Prevention and management of sternal wound infections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2016 Oct;152(4):962-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.01.060. Epub 2016 Aug 8. No abstract available.
PubMed 27555340Hamman BL, Stout LY, Theologes TT, Sass DM, da Graca B, Filardo G. Relation between topical application of platelet-rich plasma and vancomycin and severe deep sternal wound infections after a first median sternotomy. Am J Cardiol. 2014 Apr 15;113(8):1415-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.12.046. Epub 2014 Jan 31.
PubMed 24576548
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Topical Vancomycin Paste Over Sternal Edge: Safety and Effect of on Incidence of Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiac Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04500275
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- A-BR-109-013
- Conditions
- Sternal Wound Infection
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 360 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Cheng-Kung University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a single-blind 1:1 randomized controlled trial based on the hypothesis that topical application of vancomycin paste over sternum edge is safe and can reduce sternal wound infection after elective cardiac surgery. Vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5 g of vancomycin mixed with 2 ml normal saline. Vancomycin paste as control or 2 ml normal saline as placebo will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. The safety of Vancomycin paste over sternum edge will be assessed according to postoperative serum Vancomycin exposure and potential side effects such as renal toxicity or bacterial resistance. Effect of topical Vancomycin on incidence of postoperative sternal wound infection will be assessed on postoperative 7, 30, and 90 days.
Detailed description
- Patient Recruitment and Group Assignment
- Institution. All the surgical procedures will be undertaken in the National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) under service of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department. The patient monitoring will be carried out perioperatively in the general ward and intensive surgical unit (ICU, surgical or cardiac) of National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
- Eligibility Criteria. Described in other section.
- Randomization. Eligible patients will be 1:1 randomized using a computer-generated list to receive either normal saline (Control group) or Vancomycin Paste (Vancomycin group). A randomization list with corresponding patient recruitment number will be archived in NCKUH pharmacy. On the operating day, our research coordinator will order a study prescription, which looks identical to either control or Vancomycin group. The pharmacy will deliver the prescription content according to the patient recruitment number on the randomization list. The surgeons will know the patient grouping only after they get the prescription content in the operating room.
- Blinding. The intraoperative staff including the surgeon will know the application material for the patients. The patient and the nursing staff in charge of sternal wound evaluation will not know the allocation of patients.
- Sample Size Determination. The average incidence of DSWI after isolated CABG in NCKUH is 3-4% in recent 5 years. An expected reduction of DSWI from 4% to 1% leads to an effect size of 0.15, which will require a total sample size of 330 to achieve a statistical power of 0.8 given an alpha error probability of 0.05 and 1 degree of freedom. (Estimation with G*Power software). Considering the potential patient withdrawals, our planned sample collection will be 360 cases (180 in each group) in two years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Intervention (1) Vancomycin group protocol. i. Timing of application: the Vancomycin® (China Chemical \& Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CCPC / Taiwab) paste will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. ii. Regimen: The vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5g of vancomycin mixed with 2ml normal saline for each time. A total of 5gm of vancomycin® powder will be applied. (2) Control group protocol. 2ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. (3) Common perioperative protocols in both groups regarding sternal wound infection prevention: i. Intravenous antibiotics: Cefazolin 1g q8h for 24hrs. Patients with known cephalosporin or beta-lactam allergy will receive single dose Vancomycin plus Gentamicin. ii. Skin preparation: Skin shave will be performed on the operation day after injection of prophylactic antibiotics. Skin sterilization will be prepared with alcohol beta-iodine scrub followed by Hibitane (Chlorhexidine Gluconate). iii. Bone wax: bone wax usage for hemostasis will be minimized and be removed as much as possible before sternal closure. iv. Internal mammary artery harvest: Bilateral internal mammary arteries will be used at the discretion of the individual surgeon.
- Sternum closure: our standard is 8 single wires closure. Replacement of any 2 single wires with a figure of eight wire or addition of Robicsek technique will depend on the decision of the individual surgeon. vi. Subcutaneous and skin closure: interrupted Vircyl for subcutaneous closure and staples for skin. vii. Blood glucose control: intravenous insulin infusions to maintain serum blood glucose level between 120 and 180 mg/dL. viii. Chest hugger: postoperative chest hugger will be used according to the preference of the individual patient. ix. Delayed sternal closure: The decision is based on the discretion of the individual surgeon. If a delayed closure is attempted, the vancomycin paste will still be applied over the unclosed sternal edge.
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- Outcome Measurement. Details described in other section. (1) Sternal wound. Measurement on postoperative day (POD) 7, 30, and 90, based on the definition from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2) Serum Vancomycin levels. Sampling time: postoperative day 0, 3 and 7. Measurement: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
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- Data and Registry.
- Data dictionary. Each variable in a row, presented in the following order: Variable, Coding Information, Range (numeric data) or Levels (categorial data), Information Source i. Sex, Sex, M or F, Electrical Medical Record ii. Age, Age, 20 - 100, Electrical Medical Record iii. Height, Body Height, 100 - 200, Electrical Medical Record iv. Weight, Body Weight, 30 - 150, Electrical Medical Record
- DM, Diabetes Mellitus, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record vi. DM control, Diabetes Mellitus control method, 0 or Oral or Insulin, Electrical Medical Record vii. HTN, Hypertension, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record viii. PAOD, Peripheral artery occlusion disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record ix. Dialysis, Dialysis, 0 or HD or PD, Electrical Medical Record
- OldCVA, Old Cerebral Vascular Accident, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xi. CarotidStenosis, Carotid Artery Stenosis, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xii. LiverDisease, Liver Disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xiii. COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulomnary Disease, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xiv. Alcohol, Alcohol consumption, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xv. Tobacco, Tobacco use, Never or Current or Former, Electrical Medical Record xvi. NYHA, NYHA Functional Class, 1, 2, 3, 4, Electrical Medical Record xvii. Afib, Atrial Fibrillation; paroxysmal, persistent, permanent, Electrical Medical Record xviii. LVEF, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction on preoperative echocardiography(%); 1 - 100, Electrical Medical Record xix. Procedure, Surgical Procedure, "AVR MVR DVR CABG Aorta others", Electrical Medical Record xx. XCtime, Cross-Clamp time (mins), 0 - 1000, Electrical Medical Record xxi. CPBtime, Cardiopulmonary bypass time (mins), 0 - 1000, Electrical Medical Record xxii. delay.closure, delayed sternal closure, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxiii. SIMA, Single internal mammary artery graft, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxiv. BIMA, Bilateral internal mammary artery graft, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xxv. BUN, Blood Urea Nitrogen , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxvi. Cr, Serum Creatinine , 0 - 20, Hospital Lab xxvii.AST, Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxviii.ALT, Serum Alanine Aminotransferase level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxix. WBC, White blood cell count , 0 - 10, Hospital Lab xxx. Albumin, serumAlbumin , 0 - 10, Hospital Lab xxxi. Prealbumin, Serum Prealbumin level , 0 - 50, Hospital Lab xxxii.TRF, Serum Transferrin level , 0 - 200, Hospital Lab xxxiii.Serum Zinc level, Serum Zinc level , 70-120, Hospital Lab xxxiv.TG, serum triglycerol level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxv.CHOL, serum CHOL level, 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxvi.HDL, serum high density lipoprotein level , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxxvii.LDL, serum low density lipoprotein level , 0 - 1000, Hospital Lab xxxviii.HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c level , 0 - 100, Hospital Lab xxxix.Vanco.POD0, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 0, 0 - 50, Study lab xl. Vanco.POD3, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 3, 0 - 50, Study lab xli. Vanco.POD7, Serum Vancomycin level on postoperative day 7, 0 - 50, Study lab xlii. Stroke, postoperative Stroke, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xliii. Bacteremia, postoperative Bacteremia, 0 or the bacteria species, Electrical Medical Record xliv. Pneumonia, postoperative Pneumonia, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xlv. Resistance.pathogen, Resistance pathogen, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record xlvi. Intubation.days, Intubation days, 0 - 100, Electrical Medical Record xlvii. Mechanical.support.type, postoperative Mechanical support type, "IABP ECMO VAD", Electrical Medical Record xlviii. Parenteral.nutrition, postoperative Parenteral nutrition, 0 or PPN or TPN, Electrical Medical Record xlix. ICU.days, ICU days, 1-100, Electrical Medical Record
- Hospital.days, Hospital days, 1-100, Electrical Medical Record li. ThirtyDays.mortality, 30 days mortality, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record lii. Hospital.mortality, Hospital mortality, 1 or 0, Electrical Medical Record liii. Wound.POD7, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 7, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner liv. Wound.POD30, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 30, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner lv. Wound.POD90, Sternal wound condition on postoperative day 90, normal or superficial sternal infection or deep sternal infection, Study Nursing Practitioner
- Data Collection:
- Clinical parameters collection. All patient demographic data and parameters of STS (society of thoracic surgery) database will be recorded, such as age, sex, cause of cardiac diseases, co-morbidities, concurrent medication, body mass index, nutrition status, operation details, days of hospital and ICU stay, hospital cost, any surgical complications, and any documented infection and their microbiology susceptibility test results. ii. Biochemistry and blood cell count. Data such as creatinine levels, fasting sugar levels, HbA1C, liver enzymes, nutrition status, and white cell count will be measured on postoperative day 0, 3, and 7 in the central laboratory of National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
- Data management. i. Two registrars are responsible for data registry. Data are stored in spread sheet format. ii. Missing Data. All data source are available in NCKUH's electrical medical record. Any variable with missing data more than 3% will be dropped.
- Report for adverse events. The investigators are responsible for adverse events reporting to our institution review board (NCKUH IRB). The reporting procedure is generally based on the form from the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). The definition and requirement for Serious Adverse Event (SAE), Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR), and Unanticipated Problems (UP), are available at our IRB website: http://nckuhirb.med.ncku.edu.tw/upload/download/file20191217230754.pdf.
- Quality assurance. This is a single institution study. Quality assurance will be done by monthly investigator meeting in our hospital, which including the following:
- Data checks. Monthly data visualization report, either histogram for continuous variable or bar chart for categorial variable, will be used for detection of any data running out of range or having inconsistency with predefined rules. ii. Source data verification. Accuracy and completeness of the registry data will be double checked by the primary care nursing practitioners by comparison with the electrical medical record system. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Data Analysis, Statistical and Pharmacokinetic Analysis
- For clinical data, continuous variables are expressed are as means ± standard deviation and analyzed with t-test. Categorical variables are presented as numbers (percentages) and Pearson's χ 2 or Fisher's exact test was used where appropriate. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model and Cox model will be used to analyze risk factors for sternal wound infection. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using R, version 3.2.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.).
- For serum Vancomycin levels, non-compartmental analysis will be conducted with WinNonlin software (www.certara.com). The population pharmacokinetics will be analyzed with nonlinear mixed-effects modeling using in NONMEN 7.3 (Icon Development Solutions, Hanover, MD). Xpose (xpose.sourceforge.net), PsN (psn.sourceforge.net), and R, version 3.2.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.) were used for postprocessing of NONMEM output.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vancomycin group | Experimental | Drug: Vancomycin Hydrochloridei. Timing of application: the Vancomycin (China Chemical \& Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., CCPC, Taiwan R.O.C.) paste will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. ii. Regimen: The Vancomycin paste will be prepared using 2.5 g of Vancomycin powder mixed with 2 ml normal saline for each time. A total of 5 g of Vancomycin powder will be applied during the cardiac surgery. |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | Other: Normal Saline2 ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- All adult patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery via first-time full sternotomy, such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, aortic aneurysm.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- redo sternotomy surgery
- minimal invasive or non-full-sternotomy cardiac surgery
- emergent surgery with preoperative shock or cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- heart transplant or ventricular assist device surgery
- patients who have any preoperative mechanical support including IABP, ECMO, or ventricular assist device
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Vancomycin HydrochlorideAlso: vancomycin® (China Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CCPC / Taiwan))Vancomycin will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure | Drug | Vancomycin group |
| Normal SalineAlso: Isotonic Sodium chloride 0.9% 20ml/amp (Sintong Taiwan Biotech Company, Limited.)2 ml normal saline will be spread on sternal edge immediately after sternotomy and before sternal closure | Other | Placebo group |
Primary outcome
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 7
Time frame: postoperative day 7
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1. Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI). 2. Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI). 3. A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained. The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 30
Time frame: postoperative day 30
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1. Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI). 2. Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI). 3. A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained. The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 90
Time frame: postoperative day 90
Sternal wound condition evaluate by study nursing practitioner, according to the definition of sternal wound infection based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1. Depths 1 and 2 limited to the subcuticular and subcutaneous layers with no involvement of the sternum are defined as a superficial sternal infection (SSI). 2. Depths 3 and 4, which involved the sternal bone or wires and collections beneath the sternum, are defined as deep sternal infection (DSI). 3. A wound was considered infected only if a positive culture was obtained. The sternal wound condition will be coded as "non-infection", "SSI", "DSI"
3 secondary outcomes
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 0
Time frame: postoperative day 0
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 3
Time frame: postoperative day 3
Serum Vancomycin exposure on postoperative day 7
Time frame: postoperative day 7
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Apr 2025.
- Background: PubMed 25129595Lazar HL, Ketchedjian A, Haime M, Karlson K, Cabral H. Topical vancomycin in combination with perioperative antibiotics and tight glycemic control helps to eliminate sternal wound infections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Sep;148(3):1035-8; 1038-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.06.045. Epub 2014 Jul 2.
- Background: PubMed 21951032Lazar HL, Barlam T, Cabral H. The effect of topical vancomycin applied to sternotomy incisions on postoperative serum vancomycin levels. J Card Surg. 2011 Sep;26(5):461-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2011.01300.x.
- Background: PubMed 28027730Lander HL, Ejiofor JI, McGurk S, Tsuyoshi K, Shekar P, Body SC. Vancomycin Paste Does Not Reduce the Incidence of Deep Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiac Operations. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Feb;103(2):497-503. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.10.020. Epub 2016 Dec 24.
- Background: PubMed 2796369Vander Salm TJ, Okike ON, Pasque MK, Pezzella AT, Lew R, Traina V, Mathieu R. Reduction of sternal infection by application of topical vancomycin. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1989 Oct;98(4):618-22.
- Background: PubMed 27555340Lazar HL, Salm TV, Engelman R, Orgill D, Gordon S. Prevention and management of sternal wound infections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2016 Oct;152(4):962-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.01.060. Epub 2016 Aug 8. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 24576548Hamman BL, Stout LY, Theologes TT, Sass DM, da Graca B, Filardo G. Relation between topical application of platelet-rich plasma and vancomycin and severe deep sternal wound infections after a first median sternotomy. Am J Cardiol. 2014 Apr 15;113(8):1415-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.12.046. Epub 2014 Jan 31.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
MENG-TA TSAI, MD principal investigator
National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Vancomycin Hydrochloride and Normal Saline in people with Sternal Wound Infection, run by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sternal wound infection condition on postoperative day 7 (time frame: postoperative day 7). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04500275, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Apr 2025.