The Biology of Scar Formation

Abstract

Scar, our body's "glue," is formed through a highly organized sequence of physiologic events. The ability of one type of collagenous tissue to weld various tissues, adapt to their structural integrity, impart tensile strength, and permit return of function is reviewed. A knowledge of wound healing enables the clinician to design and implement treatment strategies based on scar biology. The purposes of this overview are 1) to address the three phases of repair (inflammatory, fibroplastic, and remodeling), 2) to discuss the cellular processes occurring in each phase, 3) to review appropriate intervention methods based on research findings, and 4) to describe complications that interfere with normal healing.

Investigation of wound healing in rat lung tissues in the postpartum period

“…It is well known that in newly formed connective tissue, the fibroblastic bridges do not occur prior to the first 3-5 days after incision and that collagen deposition occurs towards the end of the first week. Thereafter, neovascularization of newly formed granulation tissue occurs (1,(13)(14)(15). In this study, we independently evaluated rats on the third and tenth days to allow individual assessment of the early phase of wound healing, in which inflammatory cell infiltration occurs, and the later phase of healing, in which collagen deposition occurs.…”

Lactoferrin as an Adjunctive Agent in the Treatment of Bacterial Infections Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

“…As is known, dermal wound healing is a normal process of repair that involves four continuous, overlapping and precisely programmed stages: i) hemostasis ii) inflammation, iii) fibroplasia, and iv) remodeling (Hardy, 1989;Guo & DiPietro, 2010).…”

“…The presence of phagocytes is mandatory for bacterial and cellular debris clearance (Hardy, 1989). The pro-inflammatory contribution of lactoferrin in this stage may be linked to its ability to up-regulate the bactericidal activity of neutrophils (Ambruso & Johnston, 1981;Gahr et al, 1991) and macrophages (Lima & Kierszenbaum, 1987) aimed at the control of bacterial growth.…”

A portable automatic pressure delivery system for scar compression therapy in large animals

“…Several groups have introduced controlled pressure delivery instrumentation and techniques mostly for research purposes. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Efficiency of a pressure delivery system critically depends on physical structure, size, surface texture, motion, and elastic properties of the target organ.…”

“…As a result, hypoxia occurs at the tissue level, and this leads to lowering of the rate of collagen production in the injured site, limiting scar formation. [2][3][4][5]7 Compression therapy is routinely performed using bandages, stockings, or pneumatic compression devices. Either deficient or excessive pressure can cause inefficient results or tissue damage for patients, which is why it is important to a) Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.…”