Dados do Trabalho

Título

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ON THE USE OF METRONIDAZOLE AGAINST THE ODOR OF TUMOR WOUNDS

Introdução

Neoplastic wounds (NW) are formed by the penetration and multiplication of malignant cells in the tissue structure. Their predictive signs are: pain, bleeding, itching, exudate and foul odor. The prevalence of NW is about 5% to 10% of oncologic patients. Metronidazole is a substance that inhibits the production of H+, affecting the phospholization of the wound transudate

Objetivo

To analyze the best scientific evidence regarding the use of metronidazole for the odor of neoplastic wounds.

Método

This is a systematic review that followed the recommended steps of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – PRISMA. The formulation of the research question was adopted the PICO strategy. Accordingly, the question that guided the systematic review study was: How effective is metronidazole against the odor of neoplastic wounds? In order to answer this question, studies were searched for in the respective databases such as PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and The Cochrane Data Base, using descriptors in English, selected from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Accordingly, 16 articles were identified in the databases. Soon after the cataloging process, it was decided to analyze only clinical trials, by means of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), which considered the studies that reached a percentage greater than and equal to 60%. After that moment, the sample resulted in eight articles.

Resultado

In view of the analysis, the efficacy and safety of the topical use of metronidazole gel 0.7% for the management of bad odor in malignant tumors was evidenced, with a topical application being done 2 times/day for 14 days, bringing success in the treatment. In another study developed with women who had gynecological neoplastic wounds, metronidazole was applied for 7 days, and it was noted that topical metronidazole was effective in reducing odor in about 54% of these patients. A cohort study conducted in India compared the use of maintenance topical oral metronidazole and intermittent oral metronidazole in different body regions with tumor wounds. Through the results, it was corroborated that the use of maintenance oral metronidazole in doses of 200mg showed a significant increase of 93%, while the use of topical metronidazole showed a decline of 42%. With this, an 11% reduction in bad odor was evidenced.

Conclusão

It is evidenced that the use of metronidazole has efficacy against the odor of NW.

Palavras-chave

Metronidazole; Tumor Wounds; Odor.