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Zinc Oxide Versus Petrolatum Following Skin Surgery
NCT03561376 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Patients undergoing routine surgery in the Department of Dermatology for any indication on non-scalp skin and closed in linear fashion with scar greater than or equal to 4.5cm in length will be invited to participate in this split scar, head to head study comparing zinc oxide and petrolatum. Patients will apply respective ointments to each half of scar daily for one month and maintain a log of these activities. They will be seen at 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months post-operatively for photographic scar assessment and to complete the patient portion of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a quantitative objective assessment of scar appearance. Trained observers (board-certified dermatologists) will score the observer portion of the scale. POSAS outcomes, post-operative infections, linear density of epidermal seal will be assessed at the 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months post-operative periods and compared between the two groups. Participants will have parking validated for all visits and upon completion of all portions of the study will receive a standardized skin care gift bag containing samples for hypoallergenic skin care products (washes, moisturizers, etc.).
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Topical zinc oxide vs. petrolatum post-surgical scars
Study Locations (1)
Pennsylvania
- UPMC Dermatology St. Margaret — Pittsburgh, PA
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2021-09-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-10-30 |
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03561376
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03561376 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Early Phase 1, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 30 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, which has 34 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 6 conditions, with Surgical Site Infection appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Topical zinc oxide vs. petrolatum post-surgical scars is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03561376 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Pennsylvania. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03561376 about?
NCT03561376 is a clinical study titled "Zinc Oxide Versus Petrolatum Following Skin Surgery". Patients undergoing routine surgery in the Department of Dermatology for any indication on non-scalp skin and closed in linear fashion with scar greater than or equal to 4.5cm in length will be invited to participate in this split scar, head to head study comparing zinc oxide and petrolatum. Patient...
What is the current status of trial NCT03561376?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Early Phase 1 study. The enrollment target is 30 participants. The study started on 2021-09-01. Estimated completion is 2026-10-30.
What conditions does trial NCT03561376 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Surgical Site Infection, Surgical Wound, Scar, Hypertrophic Scar, Surgery--Complications. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03561376?
The interventions under investigation include: Topical zinc oxide vs. petrolatum post-surgical scars (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03561376?
This trial is sponsored by Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, which has 34 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03561376 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Pennsylvania. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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