Intervention
All patients in the intervention groups received cream containing
fusidic acid to prevent staphylococcal infection. The active group
received glucocorticosteroid and fusidic acid cream, while the placebo
group received fusidic acid cream. The cream had identical appearance.
Both groups had 0.4 mm active or placebo cream applied to the insertion
site under occlusion with patch one week before and three weeks after
removal of the CVC. Patch and cream treatment was applied every three
days or sooner if needed, e.g. if the patch came off. After three weeks,
both groups covered their scar with a silicone gel sheet patch for three
months, to avoid pull on the scar. The cream tube was returned after
completion of the study period and a control weight was performed by the
study nurse thereby controlling the use of cream. The parents were also
asked whether they had forgotten to apply the cream at any time. The
control group did not receive any kind of skin care after removal of the
CVC.