Linear scar reduction using silicone gel sheets in individuals with normal healing

Postoperative Mechanomodulation Decreases T-Junction Dehiscence After Reduction Mammaplasty: Early Scar Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue and cutaneous tension is an important contributor to complicated wound healing and poor scar cosmesis after surgery and its mitigation is a key consideration in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

OBJECTIVES

The study objective was to assess the efficacy of the force modulating tissue bridge (FMTB) ("Brijjit", Brijjit Medical Inc., Atlanta, GA) in reducing mechanical tension on postoperative wounds.

METHODS

A prospective, single-center, randomized, within-subject clinical trial was conducted to evaluate wound healing and nascent scar formation after 8 weeks of postoperative wound support with the FMTB. Patients received standard of care (SOC) subcuticular closure on the vertical incision of 1 breast and experimental closure with the FMTB on the contralateral incision after Wise-pattern reduction mammaplasty. Three-dimensional wound analysis and rates of T-junction dehiscence were evaluated by clinical assessment at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postsurgery.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients (n = 68 breasts) completed 8 weeks of postoperative FMTB application. There was a reduced rate of T-junction wound dehiscence in FMTB breasts (n = 1) vs SOC breasts (n = 11) (P < .01). The mean vertical incision wound area during the intervention period was significantly decreased in the FMTB breast (1.5 cm2) vs the SOC breast (2.1 cm2) (P < .01) and was significantly lower at 2-, 4-, and 8-week follow-up (P < .01). Only the closure method was significantly associated with variations in Week 8 wound area (P < .01) after linear regression modeling.

CONCLUSIONS

FMTBs decrease nascent scar dimensions and reduce the occurrence of wound dehiscence. This study provides evidence that the use of continuous mechanomodulation significantly reduces postoperative wound complications after skin closure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2

Intrasubunit V-Y Muscle Sling Myocutaneous Island Advancement Flap for Small Defects Isolated to the Nasal Ala

BACKGROUND

The V-Y island advancement flap is a useful reconstruction technique for nasal alar defects, but flap mobility is limited by the insertion of the muscles of facial expression into the dermis of the alae.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a V-Y muscle sling myocutaneous island advancement flap (SMIAF) for improved mobility and intrasubunit reconstruction of alar defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of patient records and preoperative and postoperative photographs was performed on all patients with alar defects repaired with the SMIAF between April 2008 and October 2017. Patients and physicians rated aesthetic outcomes with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

RESULTS

A total of 18 nasal alar defects were repaired with the SMIAF after Mohs micrographic surgery. All defects were located on the anterior two-thirds of the alar lobule and had a mean surface area of 0.42 ± 0.19 cm. No patients experienced flap necrosis. Patients and 3 independent dermatologic surgeons rated favorable aesthetic outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The SMIAF is a reliable reconstruction option with good aesthetic outcomes for small defects on the anterior two-thirds of the nasal ala.

Effectiveness and Tolerability of a Patch Containing Onion Extract and Allantoin for Cesarean Section Scars

Background

The prevention or early treatment of pathological scars is the most appropriate therapeutic approach. Gels and patches containing onion extract and allantoin are safe and effective in patients with scars of various origins and severity. However, no controlled studies have evaluated the effects of the patch formulation in women after Cesarean delivery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a patch containing Allium cepa and allantoin on Cesarean section (C-section) scars.

Methods

This is an observational study. Women were consecutively recruited at the University Hospital of Salerno and subdivided into two groups considering the number of C-section. Group A included subjects without and group B with a history of C-section. Scars assessment was made using digital photographs and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). After 4 weeks, the C-section of the women who had applied a patch containing Allium cepa and allantoin and those of women who had not used any products (controls) were re-evaluated as at baseline. The Observers independently performed the scars assessment at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data are expressed as the difference of the POSAS scores after 4 weeks minus the POSAS scores at baseline. The statistical significance was established at a p value <0.05.

Results

Ninety-three subjects completed the study (47 in group A and 46 in group B). Women who had used a patch showed an improvement in total score by observer scale when compared with controls (p = 0.013). By the patient scale, no significant changes from baseline were found in group A and group B. Group B with patch showed changes in scars’ pigmentation (p = 0.015), relief (p = 0.039), and pliability (p = 0.046) in comparison of controls. Digital photographs confirmed such improvements in women who had already undergone previous C-section, while no significant changes from baseline were found in women without a history of C-section.

Conclusions

Intense treatment of just 4 weeks with a patch containing Alium Cepa extract and allantoin was able to improve pigmentation, relief, and pliability of C-section scars in women with a history of C-section.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04046783.

Assessing cosmetic results after conventional thyroidectomy using the EASY-EYE_C: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Purpose

The incidence of thyroid cancer is relatively high, especially in young women, and postoperative scarring after thyroidectomy is an important problem for both patients and clinicians. Currently, there is no available product that can be used for wound protection during thyroid surgery. We used the EASY-EYE_C, a new silicone-based wound protector.

Methods

We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of the EASY-EYE_C with surgical scars. We studied 66 patients who underwent conventional total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy performed by a single surgeon from August 2015 to June 2016. At 6-week follow-up, a single blinded physician observed the wounds to make clinical assessments using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and a modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES).

Results

There were no significant differences by sex, age, type of surgery, body mass index, length of wound, incision site (from sternal notch), or thyroid weight, but the duration of operation was significantly shorter in the experimental group (E group). The e-group also had better POSAS scores than the control group (C group), with means of 43.2 (standard deviation [SD], ±15.9) versus 68.3 (SD, ±21.5), respectively (P < 0.05). The modified SBSES and VSS scores were similar to those from the POSAS.

Conclusion

In this study, all scores for evaluating outcomes were higher in the E group than in the C group. In addition, the operation time was significantly shorter in the E group. Therefore, the EASY-EYE_C may be useful for improving the cosmetic outcomes of conventional thyroid surgery.

Optimizing Postsurgical Scars: A Systematic Review on Best Practices in Preventative Scar Management

BACKGROUND

Scar management is critical for every plastic surgeon's practice and, ultimately, the patient's satisfaction with his or her aesthetic result. Despite the critical nature of this component of routine postoperative care, there has yet to be a comprehensive analysis of the available literature over the past decade to assess the best algorithmic approach to scar care. To this end, a systematic review of best practices in preventative scar management was conducted to elucidate the highest level of evidence available on this subject to date.

METHODS

A computerized MEDLINE search was performed for clinical studies addressing scar management. The resulting publications were screened randomized clinical trials that met the authors' specified inclusion/exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

This systematic review was performed in May of 2016. The initial search for the Medical Subject Headings term "cicatrix" and modifiers "therapy, radiotherapy, surgery, drug therapy, prevention, and control" yielded 13,101 initial articles. Applying the authors' inclusion/exclusion criteria resulted in 12 relevant articles. All included articles are randomized, controlled, clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimal scar care requires taking into account factors such as incisional tension, anatomical location, and Fitzpatrick skin type. The authors present a streamlined algorithm for scar prophylaxis based on contemporary level I and II evidence to guide clinical practice.

A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Cx43-Mimetic Peptide in Cutaneous Scarring

The transmembrane protein Cx43 has key roles in fibrogenic processes including inflammatory signaling and extracellular matrix composition. aCT1 is a Cx43 mimetic peptide that in preclinical studies accelerated wound closure, decreased inflammation and granulation tissue area, and normalized mechanical properties after cutaneous injury. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of aCT1 in the reduction of scar formation in human incisional wounds. In a prospective, multicenter, within-participant controlled trial, patients with bilateral incisional wounds (≥10 mm) after laparoscopic surgery were randomized to receive acute treatment (immediately after wounding and 24 hours later) with an aCT1 gel formulation plus conventional standard of care protocols, involving moisture-retentive occlusive dressing, or standard of care alone. The primary efficacy endpoint was average scarring score using visual analog scales evaluating incision appearance and healing progress over 9 months. There was no significant difference in scar appearance between aCT1- or control-treated incisions after 1 month. At month 9, aCT1-treated incisions showed a 47% improvement in scar scores over controls (Vancouver Scar Scale; P = 0.0045), a significantly higher Global Assessment Scale score (P = 0.0009), and improvements in scar pigmentation, thickness, surface roughness, and mechanical suppleness. Adverse events were similar in both groups. aCT1 has potential to improve scarring outcome after surgery.

The Use of Silicone Adhesives for Scar Reduction

Significance: This article discusses the history and developments of silicone gel sheeting (SGS) scar therapy. Furthermore, we review a breadth of literature to gain an insight into how and why topical silicone gels remain the favored treatment of medical experts in scar management. We also analyze an ever increasing number of alternative therapies claiming to provide enhanced scar reduction performance. Recent Advances: Topical silicone gel treatments seem to remain the first point of clinical recommendation in scar management. SGS has been used in scar therapy for over 30 years, during which its efficacy has been the subject of numerous clinical evaluations. Critical Issues: While the exact mechanisms by which SGS improves hypertrophic scars, keloid development and recovery are yet to be fully agreed upon, its ability to do so remains largely undisputed at present. However, there still is ongoing deliberation over the exact mechanism of action of silicone in improving a scar. At present it is likely that through occlusion of the scar site and hydration of the wound bed, the overactivity of scar-related cells is suppressed, and their activity normalized. Future Direction: The clinical support of topical silicone gel products, relative to all alternative scar therapies, is considered the internationally recommended first-line form of scar management, and favored by consensus among healthcare professionals. However, there still remains the need for further clinical evidence and a better understanding of the mechanism behind the benefit of silicone gel for use in the prevention of abnormal scarring.

A randomized controlled trial of the embrace advanced scar therapy device to reduce incisional scar formation

BACKGROUND

Scarring represents a significant biomedical burden in clinical medicine. Mechanomodulation has been linked to scarring through inflammation, but until now a systematic approach to attenuate mechanical force and reduce scarring has not been possible.

METHODS

The authors conducted a 12-month, prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter clinical trial to evaluate abdominoplasty scar appearance following postoperative treatment with the embrace Advanced Scar Therapy device to reduce mechanical forces on healing surgical incisions. Incisions from 65 healthy adult subjects were randomized to receive embrace treatment on one half of an abdominoplasty incision and control treatment (surgeon's optimal care methods) on the other half. The primary endpoint for this study was the difference between assessments of scar appearance for the treated and control sides using the visual analogue scale scar score.

RESULTS

Final 12-month study photographs were obtained from 36 subjects who completed at least 5 weeks of dressing application. The mean visual analogue scale score for embrace-treated scars (2.90) was significantly improved compared with control-treated scars (3.29) at 12 months (difference, 0.39; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.66; p = 0.027). Both subjects and investigators found that embrace-treated scars demonstrated significant improvements in overall appearance at 12 months using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale evaluation (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the embrace device significantly reduces scarring following abdominoplasty surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first level I evidence for postoperative scar reduction.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

The embrace device significantly decreases scarring following scar revision surgery in a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mechanically offloading or shielding an incision significantly reduces scarring in both animal and first-in-human studies. Whether or not this strategy would be effective following scar revision surgery was previously unknown. In this article, the authors report that the embrace device, which uses principles of mechanomodulation, significantly improves aesthetic outcomes following scar revision surgery.

METHODS

A prospective, open-label, randomized, single-center study was conducted to evaluate the appearance of scars following revision and embrace treatment. Revision surgery was performed on 12 patients, each acting as his or her own control, and outcomes were assessed at 6 months. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate each scar, rated by four independent surgeons who were not involved in the study.

RESULTS

Evaluation of 6-month scar images by four independent surgeons using the visual analogue scale demonstrated a highly significant improvement in scar appearance following embrace treatment (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The embrace device represents a powerful new technology for significantly improving scar appearance following revision surgery.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

Quality of scar after total thyroidectomy: a single blinded randomized trial comparing octyl-cyanoacrylate and subcuticular absorbable suture

Objective. To compare the quality of resulting scar at 6 weeks after total thyroidectomy with the use of the tissue adhesive octyl-cyanoacrylate or subcuticular absorbable suture for the closure of cervicotomy. Material and Methods. There are 50 patients undergoing a cervicotomy for total thyroidectomy. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to closure with tissue adhesive and 25 with subcuticular absorbable suture. At week 6 the scar was evaluated by blinded assessors with the Italian version of POSAS questionnaire, a validated wound scale composed of an observer's and a patient's subscale. Results. Assessment of scar appearance showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0. 038) in favor of subcuticular suture with respect to tissue adhesive on observer's assessment. The difference on patients' self-assessment was not significant. A multivariate analysis of six qualitative features of scars showed a significant influence on assessment for hyperpigmentation and relief of scar. The Italian version of POSAS proved to be reliable. Conclusion. Though tissue adhesive represents a valid method of skin closure, subcuticular absorbable suture provides a better aesthetic outcome in small cervical incisions in the early phase after thyroid surgery.