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

• Published in: Journal of tissue viability 2023-05, Vol.32 (2), p.188-193
• Main Authors: Hueso-Montoro, César, Moya-Muñoz, Noelia, Martín-Cebrián, Josefa, Huertas-Fernández, Rosa, Sánchez-Crisol, Inmaculada, García-Fernández, Francisco Pedro, Capilla-Díaz, Concepción
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colostomy; Humans; Hygiene; Ileostomy; Olive oil; Olive Oil - pharmacology; Olive Oil - therapeutic use; Pilot Projects; Skin; Skin care
• ISSN: 0965-206X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2023.02.004

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.