RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of anhydrous lanolin with the effect of breast milk combined with a breast shell for treatment of nipple trauma and pain during breastfeeding. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in a maternity ward in a hospital accredited as a Baby-Friendly Hospital located in the middle-western region of Brazil. Breastfeeding women with obvious nipple trauma were randomized into 2 groups. In both groups, breastfeeding education was conducted. For up to 10 days, in Group 1, anhydrous lanolin was applied daily after each breastfeeding session, whereas in Group 2, breast milk combined with a breast shell was applied. Trauma was assessed using the Nipple Trauma Score, and pain was assessed using a numerical scale and sensory descriptors from the McGill Questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred women participated, with 50 women in each of the 2 groups. The healing of nipple trauma was faster in the group treated with breast milk combined with a breast shell, starting on the third day of intervention (P = .032). The intensity of pain was lower in the group treated with breast milk combined with a breast shell starting on the fifth day of treatment (P = .008). The use of anhydrous lanolin had a progressively reduced treatment efficacy, with values of 86.4% on the third day (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.5%-98.2%), 58.3% on the fifth day (95% CI, 20.1%-78.3%), 48.1% on the seventh day (95% CI, 20.1%-66.2%), and 26.9.% on the tenth day (95% CI, 6.4%-43%) of intervention. The resolution of nipple trauma was significantly associated with the use of the nipple shell on all intervention days. DISCUSSION: The intervention with breast milk combined with a breast shell was more effective than anhydrous lanolin for the treatment of nipple trauma and pain in breastfeeding women. This treatment should be encouraged among breastfeeding women to promote healing and reduce pain.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To identify the most effective interventions to treat nipple trauma in breastfeeding mothers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Systematic literature review using the PICO strategy. The search was conducted on the electronic information systems Medline-PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), World Health Organization Library Information System (WHOLIS), Cochrane, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), using standardized and unstandardized descriptors. Studies were selected if they were controlled or uncontrolled randomized clinical trials written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two reviewers evaluated the studies independently using a guide, and in case there were disagreements, a third reviewer was called on to reach a consensus. Of the 496 studies located, five were included. FINDINGS: The treatments investigated were lanolin, lanolin in association with breast protection shells, breast milk, hydrogel, adhesive polyethylene film dressings, a spray containing chlorhexidine with alcohol, and distilled water. All the groups in every study received breastfeeding education. The best outcomes for the treatment of nipple trauma used lanolin (recommendation B, evidence level 2) and breast milk (recommendation B, evidence level 2). Although one clinical study was found with positive outcomes resulting from treatment using a spray containing alcohol and chlorhexidine 0.2% (recommendation B, evidence level 2), this treatment modality should be further investigated since literature is not in favor of using antiseptic substances in skin wound treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the treatments investigated, the most favorable evidence indicates the use of lanolin alone or in association with breast protection shells and breast milk expressed and rubbed into the nipple and areola after each feeding session. However, the results obtained in this review are inconclusive, indicating the need for further studies in order to clarify the action of breast milk and lanolin on the damaged tissues, as well as studies involving samples representative of the number needed to treat. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides evidence for nursing practice, thus contributing to the improvement of lactating mothers with nipple trauma care and, consequently, improving the rates of successful breastfeeding as well as the quality of life of breastfeeding mothers.