Lay summary
Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders. Treatment of skin cancers is costly and typically involves surgery. Surgical site infections (SSIs) after skin cancer surgery significantly escalates treatment costs, is painful, delays healing, requires extra healthcare input and interventions, and can worsen scarring.
The aim of the Prophylactic InCisional Antibiotics in Skin cancer Surgery (PICASSo) trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single dose of preoperative locally-infiltrated incisional antibiotics for decreasing the incidence and economic burden of SSIs in patients undergoing skin cancer surgery. The feasibility study will inform the choice of antibacterial agent for the intended full study. The overarching goal is to lead the way in delivering high quality economical skin cancer treatment, while filling a void for evidence-based guidelines in skin cancer surgery that would be applicable throughout New Zealand and internationally