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BACKGROUND: Essential oils (EOs) have been considered as a potential alternative therapy for wound healing and scar reduction. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive review examining the effects of EOs on wound healing and scars. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid and Embase computerized searches were performed through June 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction reviewed by the senior author following the PRISMA protocol. RESULTS: Three manuscripts examining three different EO-containing topical agents were analyzed. Outcomes include: healing rate, erythema, pain, pruritus, patient discomfort, physician satisfaction, percent wound reduction, wound/scar surface perimeter area, and qualitative dermatological evaluation. All articles concluded that the EO-containing topical agents resulted in either superior or non-inferior outcomes in comparison to controls. Hypericum-Calendula oil obtained lower wound surface perimeter area. Erythema (p=.001) was significantly decreased by the peppermint EO-containing topical agent preparation. Physicians also reported greater satisfaction (p<.001) in wound appearance with use of the peppermint EO-containing topical agent. <b><u>CONCLUSION:</u></b> A paucity of studies have examined EO use for wound healing and scar reduction. Treatment with EO-containing topical agents resulted in decreased erythema with increased physician satisfaction of wound appearance. Future studies should assess what level of purity is needed for improved results, and which EO, or combination of EOs is most beneficial.

The aim of this study was to analyze a potential association between resident training level/specialty type and correct identification of external ear deformities/external ear anatomy. A Qualtrics survey was distributed via email to all pertinent residency programs in the United States. The survey captured specialty type (Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, and Plastic Surgery) and level of training (PGY 1-2 and PGY 3+). The assessment asked residents to identify 10 clinically relevant external ear deformities and 10 normal pinna anatomic subunits. Chi-square tests were used to examine the association between the level of training/specialty type and performance on individual survey items. To examine group performance on overall mean scores of the external ear deformity/external ear anatomy survey, a t-test and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. Responses from 105 residents were analyzed. Senior residents (PGY 3+) performed significantly better in correctly identifying Microtia Grade 3, Question Mark ear, and Cryptotia as compared to junior residents (PGY 1-2). Senior residents performed significantly better in the identification of external ear deformities ( P = .002) and normal pinna anatomical subunits ( P < .001). Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery residents performed significantly better in the identification of external ear deformities ( P < .001) and normal pinna anatomical subunits ( P < .001) than Pediatrics. There were no significant interaction effects between the level of training and the specialty type on either ear deformity or normal pinna anatomy identification. Residents had a 34.5% success rate of identifying ear deformities and showed improved confidence in identification when exposed to a digital-based examination. Improved education methods for detection will help with timely correction of ear deformities.