Improving Scar Quality: A Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Following traumatic or surgical injury to the skin, wounds do not heal by tissue regeneration but rather by scar formation. Though healing is definitely a welcomed event, the resultant scar, very often, is not aesthetically pleasing, and not infrequently, may be pathologic causing serious deformities and contractures. Management of problematic scars continues to be a frustrating endeavor with less than optimal results. Prophylactic methods of wound management to minimize serious scarring are being developed. In a previously published study, we have demonstrated improved healing of split thickness skin graft donor sites following treatment with Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO, Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE). At present, we are reporting the results of a comparative clinical prospective study evaluating scar quality following primary healing of elective surgical and traumatic facial wounds with prophylactic MEBO application, topical antibiotic ointment application, and no topical therapy at all. Scars were evaluated according to the Visual Analogue Scale for scar assessment. Statistical analysis of scar assessment scores demonstrated marked prevention of unfavorable scars with improved cosmetic results following MEBO prophylactic therapy.

Abdominal scar characteristics as a predictor of intra-abdominal adhesions at repeat cesarean delivery

“…The abdominal scar and intra-abdominal adhesions are both results of wound healing, which differs between individuals (6,7). In both processes similar factors are involved, including cellular, immunologic, and hormonal components (11,12).…”

“…Adhesion-related complications after cesarean delivery include bowel obstruction, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and difficult and sometimes complicated repeat surgery (3)(4)(5). Because the abdominal scar of a previous laparotomy and intra-abdominal adhesions are both tissue healing processes (6,7), we aimed in this study to investigate whether specific abdominal scar characteristics found preoperatively could predict the presence and severity of intraabdominal adhesions formed after a previous cesarean delivery.…”

Biodegradable Polysaccharide Gels for Skin Scaffolds

“…Unfortunately, there are limited biocompatible and biodegradable materials available. Hydrogels have been used as an alternate artificial skin, because good hydration is the most important external factor responsible for optimal wound healing [11][12][13][14], as water is necessary for transport of nutrients to the growing cells. Hydrogels, however, are commonly not physically strong enough to mimic the tough, thin dermis [9].…”

Scar prevention and remodeling: a review of the medical, surgical, topical and light treatment approaches

“…compared MEBO, an antibiotic ointment, and no topical therapy in patients with traumatic and surgical facial wounds. MEBO was found to produce significantly better results at follow‐up after 1, 3, and 6 months . Other prospective studies of partial‐thickness skin graft donor sites have compared MEBO with conventional wound care and with Tegaderm ® (3M Health Care, St. Paul, MN, USA).…”