Scar Management

Author(s):  
Severin Läuchli
Keyword(s):  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205951312098853
Author(s):  
Dana M Hutchison ◽  
Amir A Hakimi ◽  
Avin Wijayaweera ◽  
Soohong Seo ◽  
Ellen M Hong ◽  
...  

Introduction: Scar treatments aim to address pathologic collagen deposition; however, they can be expensive or difficult to control. Electrochemical therapy (ECT) offers a simple alternative treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the acid-base and histological changes in ex vivo human abdominal skin following ECT. Methods: Forty-two ex vivo human panniculus tissue sections collected from six individuals were tumesced with normal saline. ECT was performed by inserting two platinum needle electrodes connected to a DC power supply into each specimen. Voltage was varied (3–6 V) and applied for 5 minutes. Each specimen was sectioned across both electrode insertion sites and immediately stained with pH sensitive dye. The width of dye color change for each dosimetry pair was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate samples. Results and Discussion: ECT caused a spatially localised and dose-dependent increased area of acidic and basic pH around the anode and cathode, respectively. A significantly greater mean width of pH change was generated at the cathode compared to the anode in all treatment groups. Histological evaluation displayed broad condensation and hyalinisation of dermal collagen. Conclusion: ECT triggered dermal pH alterations and changed the underlying structural framework of the specimen. This technology may serve as a low-cost, minimally invasive local soft-tissue remodeling technique with potential application in scar management. Level of Evidence: 5 Lay Summary Electrochemical therapy is a novel treatment that causes spatially selective dermal injury in areas of interest. This study measures the effects of electrochemical therapy when applied to abdominal skin. Electrochemical therapy appears to have beneficial effects by causing a highly localised reduction in collagen content or local softening of tissue, which is consistent with other studies on scar therapies, including chemexfoliation, radiofrequency technologies, and lasers. However, electrochemical therapy can be performed at a fraction of the costs of these aforementioned modalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205951312110292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah O’Reilly ◽  
Erin Crofton ◽  
Jason Brown ◽  
Jennifer Strong ◽  
Jenny Ziviani

Introduction: Tapes have been used to aid fresh wound closure. For hypertrophic scars, the use of tapes as a therapy to reduce the mechanical forces that stimulate excessive and long-term scarring is yet to be evaluated. The aim of this comprehensive review was to explore the current clinical application of tapes, as a minimally invasive option, as purposed specifically for the management of hypertrophic scarring, regardless of scar causation. Method: Databases were searched using MeSH terms including one identifier for hypertrophic scar and one for the intervention of taping. Studies included the following: patients who received tape for a minimum of 12 weeks as a method of wound closure specifically for the purpose of scar prevention; those who received tape as a method of scar management after scar formation; reported outcomes addressing subjective and/or objective scar appearance; and were available in English. Results: With respect to non-stretch tapes, their use for the prevention of linear surgical scarring is evident in reducing scar characteristics of height, colour and itch. Statistically significant results were found in median scar width, reduction in procedure times and overall scar rating. Tapes were predominately applied by participants themselves, and incidence of irritation was infrequently reported. After 12 months, significance with respect to scar pain, itch, thickness and overall scar elevation was reported in one study investigating paper tape. Two papers reported the use of high stretch tapes; however, subjective results limited formal analysis. Although the use of taping for abnormal hypertrophic scar management is in its infancy, emerging research indicates tapes with an element of stretch may have a positive impact. Conclusions: Non-stretch tapes, for the prevention of linear surgical scarring, are effective in reducing scar characteristics of height, colour and itch. Paper tapes have shown effectiveness when applied during wound remodelling or even on mature scarring, with reported subjective changes in scar colour, thickness and pliability. Preliminary evidence of the benefits of high-stretch, elasticised tapes for scar management in the remodelling phase of wound healing have also been reported. Lay Summary Patients are often concerned about unsightly scars that form on their bodies after trauma, especially burn injuries. These scars can be thick, red and raised on the skin, and can impact on the patient’s quality of life. For some scars, the process of skin thickening continues for up to two years after an injury. Unfortunately, scar formation is a part of the body’s healing process, whereby there is a constant pull or tension under and along the skin’s surface. The use of simple tapes, such as microporetm, to help with wound closure are sometimes used as a therapy to reduce the tension on the skin’s surface when a wound is healing to minimise scar formation. However, the effectiveness of taping has not been proven. This paper looks at the available evidence to support the use of taping to reduce scar features of height, thickness and colour. Initial evidence of mixed levels, suggests some benefits of tapes for scar management and show preliminary efficacy for reduction of scar height, thickness and colour. More research is required to determine the direct impact, comparison to other treatments available and patient viewpoint for this therapy.


Burns ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.B. Davey ◽  
K.A. Wallis ◽  
K. Bowering

2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thuzar M. Shin ◽  
Jeremy S. Bordeaux

2017 ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
Guillermo Blugerman ◽  
Diego Schavelzon ◽  
Gabriel Wexler ◽  
Marcelo Lotocky

2020 ◽  
pp. 317-323
Author(s):  
F. W. Timmermans ◽  
E. Middelkoop

AbstractIn the last decades, skin substitutes have emerged as an important innovation in improving scar quality. They can be applied during the initial wound management but also during scar reconstruction procedures. This chapter provides an overview on the development, current state, and future of cell-seeded and tissue-engineered skin substitutes. We will discuss some of the most important varieties of skin substitutes in the context of scar formation and wound healing.


2020 ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
Wouter B. van der Sluis ◽  
Nirvana S. S. Kornmann ◽  
Robin A. Tan ◽  
Johan P. W. Don Griot

AbstractCleft lip and palate are facial and oral malformation due to failures in the embryologic craniofacial development during early pregnancy. A unilateral cleft lip and palate is the most common type, whereby the upper lip, the orbicularis muscle, the alveolar bone, the floor of the nose, and the hard and soft palate are interrupted, creating an open communication between nasopharynx and oropharynx. Patients with a cleft lip and palate are treated in specialized cleft centers by a multidisciplinary team. Having cleft lip and/or palate has a noteworthy impact on quality of life and psychosocial functioning. Postoperative scarring is a common cause of patient dissatisfaction. The goal of cleft lip surgery is to close the lip, provide optimal function in terms of speech, mastication, dental protection, breathing and feeding, and provide an aesthetically pleasing facial scar. Precise surgical technique and adequate aligning of anatomical structures is important for the postoperative aesthetic result and scar formation. Different surgical techniques are available for this purpose. Optimal scar management can be divided in surgical (precise surgical technique, planning, and adequate aligning of anatomical structures) and nonsurgical methods (botulinum toxin, silicone application, carbon dioxide fractional laser).


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