Preventing wound complications after limb sarcoma surgery with a single-use negative-pressure dressing

Preventive Application of Single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (sNPWT) in the Postoperative Course of Radiotreatated Limb Sarcoma Surgery a Randomized Clinical Trial

Not applicable Interventional Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS · NCT06941194

This test will try a single-use negative-pressure wound dressing (PICO14) to see if it reduces wound complications after limb high-grade soft tissue sarcoma surgery in adults who received preoperative radiotherapy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment48 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 99 Years
SexAll
SponsorIstituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS Academic / other
Locations1 site (Padova, Italy/Padova)
Trial IDNCT06941194 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults meeting screening criteria are randomized at pre-admission to receive either the PICO14 single-use negative-pressure dressing or standard gauze-and-plaster dressings on the day of wide excision surgery. For those in the PICO14 arm, dressings are renewed around day 4, day 8, and day 14; both arms undergo wound assessment using the ASEPSIS score at those same time points. Eligibility requires histologically confirmed grade III soft-tissue sarcoma of a limb, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, negative CT staging for metastases, and candidacy for wide excision; several local or amputation procedures are excluded. Patients may change dressings themselves during follow-up if needed and outcomes focus on postoperative wound healing and complications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with histologically confirmed high-grade (grade III) soft-tissue sarcoma of a limb who received neoadjuvant radiotherapy, are candidates for wide excision without distant metastases, and can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with benign tumors, trunk or retroperitoneal sarcomas, planned forequarter/hindquarter amputation, incomplete excision, vascular resection, or who received other loco-regional treatments are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, PICO14 could reduce postoperative wound infections and healing problems, leading to fewer reinterventions and faster recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Negative-pressure wound therapy has reduced wound complications in several high-risk surgical settings, but evidence is mixed and specifically limited for pre-radiated limb sarcoma resections.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female ≥ 18 years of age
* diagnosis of primary high-grade (grade III) soft tissue sarcoma of the limbs (confirmed histopathologically)
* performed neoadjuvant radiotherapy (short or long-term)
* candidates for wide radical excision surgery
* negative CT scan staging for distant metastasis
* Signing of Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* diagnosis of benign neoplasm
* diagnosis of retroperitoneal or trunk sarcomas;
* candidates to hindquarter or forequarter amputation surgery;
* incomplete wide excision;
* vascular resection;
* other loco-regional treatments (e.g. isolated limb perfusion or electrochemotherapy).

Where this trial is running

Padova, Italy/Padova

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions SarcomaSarcoma,Soft Tissuesarcomalimbshigh-grade soft tissue sarcomaPICO14
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.