Clinical application of compound tung leaf burn oil dressing in postoperative care following circumcision: evaluation of healing time and patient outcomes.

Abstract

Circumcision is among the most frequently performed urological procedures worldwide, yet postoperative wound management remains challenging, with complications including pain, edema, and infection affecting patient recovery. Traditional povidone-iodine (PVP-I) gauze dressings have limitations in promoting optimal wound healing. Compound tung leaf burn oil (CTLBO), a traditional Chinese medicine preparation with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, may offer advantages in postoperative circumcision care. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of CTLBO-containing dressings compared with conventional PVP-I gauze in postoperative care following circumcision. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 132 adult male patients (aged 18-50 years) who underwent elective circumcision at Ganzhou People's Hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. Patients with coagulation disorders, uncontrolled diabetes [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >8%], immunocompromised status, or incomplete follow-up were excluded. Patients were divided into the CTLBO group (n=68) receiving CTLBO dressing and the control group (n=64) receiving conventional PVP-I gauze based on clinical practice patterns. Standardized dressing protocols were employed with changes every 24-48 hours during the first postoperative week. Primary outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, wound infection rate, edema scores, wound healing time, complication rates, and patient satisfaction, assessed at postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, and at complete healing. The CTLBO group demonstrated significantly lower VAS pain scores at postoperative day 1 (4.37&#xb1;0.505.65&#xb1;0.38, P<0.001), day 3 (2.64&#xb1;0.384.35&#xb1;0.38, P<0.001), and day 7 (1.42&#xb1;0.322.68&#xb1;0.32, P<0.001). Edema scores were significantly reduced in the CTLBO group at day 3 (3.66&#xb1;0.525.57&#xb1;0.50, P<0.001) and day 7 (1.69&#xb1;0.343.34&#xb1;0.37, P<0.001). Wound infection rate was lower in the CTLBO group (2.94%12.50%, P=0.050). Mean healing time was 3.47 days shorter in the CTLBO group (9.81&#xb1;1.0313.28&#xb1;1.21 days, P<0.001). Total complication rate was significantly reduced (7.35%21.88%, P=0.03), and patient satisfaction was higher (4.28&#xb1;0.593.27&#xb1;0.59, P<0.001). CTLBO dressing demonstrates superior efficacy in reducing postoperative pain, edema, infection, and healing time following circumcision compared with conventional PVP-I gauze. These findings support CTLBO as an effective alternative for postoperative wound management in circumcision patients.