J Korean Med Sci.  2014 Nov;29(Suppl 3):S249-S253. 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S3.S249.

Prevention of Postsurgical Scars: Comparsion of Efficacy and Convenience between Silicone Gel Sheet and Topical Silicone Gel

• Kim SM
• Choi JS
• Lee JH
• Kim YJ
• Jun YJ

• KMID: 2151420
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S3.S249

Abstract

To date, few studies have compared the effectiveness of topical silicone gels versus that of silicone gel sheets in preventing scars. In this prospective study, we compared the efficacy and the convenience of use of the 2 products. We enrolled 30 patients who had undergone a surgical procedure 2 weeks to 3 months before joining the study. These participants were randomly assigned to 2 treatment arms: one for treatment with a silicone gel sheet, and the other for treatment with a topical silicone gel. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores were obtained for all patients; in addition, participants completed scoring patient questionnaires 1 and 3 months after treatment onset. Our results reveal not only that no significant difference in efficacy exists between the 2 products but also that topical silicone gels are more convenient to use. While previous studies have advocated for silicone gel sheets as first-line therapies in postoperative scar management, we maintain that similar effects can be expected with topical silicone gel. The authors recommend that, when clinicians have a choice of silicone-based products for scar prevention, they should focus on each patient's scar location, lifestyle, and willingness to undergo scar prevention treatment.

Keyword

Cicatrix; Postoperative Period; Wounds and Injuries; Prevention and Control

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Cicatrix/*prevention & control
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Period
Prospective Studies
Questionnaires
Random Allocation
Silicone Gels/*administration & dosage/*pharmacology
Surgery, Plastic/*methods
Surgical Procedures, Operative/*adverse effects
Wounds and Injuries/therapy
Young Adult
Silicone Gels

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Before and after views of silicone gel sheet use in scar management. The scar has improved in its vascularity, irregularity, and height after 3 months of treatment. (B) Before and after views of topical silicone gel use in scar management. The scar has improved in its pigmentation, irregularity, and height after 3 months of treatment.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Changes from the baseline in VSS scores at 1 month after treatment onset. (B) Changes from the baseline in VSS scores at 3 months after treatment onset. VSS, vancouver scar scale.

• 

  Fig. 3 (A) Changes from the baseline in patient questionnaire response scores at 1 month after treatment onset. (B) Changes from the baseline in patient questionnaire response scores at 3 months after treatment onset.

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