Arch Craniofac Surg.  2018 Jun;19(2):120-126. 10.7181/acfs.2018.01907.

Correlation between dermal thickness and scar formation in female patients after thyroidectomy

• Kim HI
• Kwak CY
• Kim HY
• Yi HS
• Park EJ
• Kim JH
• Park JH

• KMID: 2417795
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2018.01907

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Minimizing scarring has long been a challenge in plastic surgery. Factors affecting scar formation are well known, but the effect of some patient-specific factors such as dermal thickness remains unverified. Management of factors predictive of scarring can improve postoperative patient satisfaction and scar treatment.
METHODS
For 3 years, we used ultrasonography to measure dermal thickness in female patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for cancer at our hospital. We confirmed the influence of dermal thickness on hypertrophic scar formation and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scar score 6 months after surgery.
RESULTS
There was a positive correlation between dermal thickness and scar score (p < 0.05), and dermal thickness appears to be a cause of hypertrophic scar formation (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Thick dermis was found to cause poor scar formation and hypertrophic scarring. Prediction of factors that can influence scar formation can be used to educate patients before surgery and can help in scar management and improvement in patient satisfaction.

Keyword

Skinfold thickness; Hypertrophic cicatrix

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix*
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
Dermis
Female*
Humans
Patient Satisfaction
Skinfold Thickness
Surgery, Plastic
Thyroidectomy*
Ultrasonography