Efficacy of gel containing organic extra virgin olive oil for peristomal skin hygiene: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

To assess the efficacy and safety of the application, during stoma hygiene, of a pH-neutral gel containing organic EVOO (oEVOO) for the maintenance of peristomal skin integrity. Patients with a colostomy or ileostomy were enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial and assigned treatment with a pH-neutral gel made from natural products including oEVOO or usual stoma hygiene gel. The primary outcome was three domains of abnormal peristomal skin: Discolouration, Erosion and Tissue overgrowth. Secondary outcomes that were evaluated included skin moisture; oiliness; skin elasticity; water-oil balance; patients' perceptions; difficulty inserting and removing the pouching system; pain, any other chemical, infectious, mechanical, or immunological complications of concern. The intervention lasted 8 weeks. Twenty-one patients were recruited for the trial and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 9). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of patient characteristics. No significant differences between groups were identified either at baseline (p = 0.203) or at the end of the intervention (p = 0.397). In the experimental group, domains of abnormal peristomal skin improved after the intervention. The difference observed before and after the intervention was statistically significant (p = 0.031). The use of a gel containing oEVOO has shown similar levels of efficacy and safety to other gels commonly used for peristomal skin hygiene. It is also relevant to highlight that a significant improvement in skin condition was observed in the experimental group before and after the intervention. • The risk of impaired peristomal skin integrity is one of the most common concerns for individuals with a colostomy or ileostomy. • Peristomal skin may be extremely or substantially compromised and impacting the quality of life of individuals and higher healthcare costs. • There is some evidence of the efficacy of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) products for skin, but the use of these products for peristomal skin care has been inadequately studied. • The gel containing organic EVOO has shown similar efficacy and safety to other gels used for peristomal skin hygiene, highlighted a improvement in skin condition in the experimental group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]