Does the application of topical chloramphenicol ointment (chloromycetin) to sutured wounds reduce the incidence of wound infection following minor surgery?

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN73223053

Enrollment

948

Registered

2007-07-02

Start date

2007-04-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Wound infection Infections and Infestations Wound infection

Interventions

A single application of topical chloramphenicol ointment versus topical paraffin ointment following minor surgery.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: All patients presenting to a participating GP for excision of a minor skin lesion (all body sites).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Already taking oral antibiotics 2. Oral or topical antibiotics clinically indicated immediately postoperatively 3. Lacerations 4. Having a flap or two layer procedure 5. Having excision of sebaceous cyst 6. History of allergy to any of ingredients of chloromycetin ointment 7. Personal or family history of aplastic anaemia

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Infection. The wounds will be assessed for infection at time of removal of sutures (5-14 days).	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
No secondary outcome measures	—

Countries

Australia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Apr 3, 2026