Comparison of the effect of silicone gel sheets by thickness on excisional scars in pediatric and adolescent patients

Abstract

Background Selecting effective products among the various types of silicone gel sheets can be challenging for surgeons. Therefore, we assessed the effect of silicone gel sheet thickness on surgical scars in pediatric and adolescent patients.Methods From December 2017 to May 2018, we identified patients aged 1–19 years who underwent excision. Among these patients, those who were prescribed 0.3-mm or 1.0-mm-thick silicone sheets were selected. Scars were subjectively evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of seven items. Objective evaluation was performed by two plastic surgeons using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).Results The mean age of the 49 selected patients was 9.78 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to the thickness of the silicone gel sheet used (0.3 mm vs. 1.0 mm). Objective evaluation of the patients’ scars revealed more favorable results in the 0.3 mm group than in the 1.0 mm group (P=0.010). Multivariate analysis of VSS scores indicated that the resulting scars in cases involving the trunk were of poorer quality than those involving facial areas (P=0.015). Additionally, favorable (i.e., below-average) VSS scores were significantly less likely in patients with longer scars (odds ratio, 0.896; 95% confidence interval, 0.834–0.963; P=0.003) or thicker silicone sheets (odds ratio, 0.085; 95% confidence interval, 0.011–0.699; P=0.019).Conclusions The use of thinner silicone gel sheets in children and adolescents resulted in better scars according to subjective evaluations, underscoring the importance of compliance in pediatric patients. The type of operation and surgical lesion should also be considered when planning the management of surgical scars.

Patients’ satisfaction with the effects of microporous tape on surgical scars: a randomized controlled study

“…NUMBER 4. OCTOBER 2022 tively in many previous studies, is the use of silicone sheets or gel [7,11]. Westra et al [12], in a prospective multicenter study, found that there was a significant improvement in the color, thickness, and elasticity of hypertrophic scars and keloids following the application of a topical silicone sheet.…”

“…Microporous tape reduces evaporative water loss, thus hydrating the scar and shortening the period until scar maturation [2]. It has also been suggested that its action may be partly mechanical (analogous to pressure therapy) [18] and partly occlusive (analogous to silicone gel therapy) [7]. It may also act by preventing an exacerbation of the inflam- matory response during wound healing, allowing the more stable, closely woven type I fibers to form covalent bonds and create a crosslinking pattern more comparable to normal skin.…”

“…While most studies in the developed world have researched the effectiveness of other scar-modulating modalities to improve patient satisfaction with postoperative scars [7,8], few have investigated the use and effect of microporous tapes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine patients' satisfaction with scar outcomes following microporous taping as well as identify the determinants of their satisfaction.…”

Neonatal Faciocervical Group BStreptococcalNecrotising Fasciitis: a Multidisciplinary Approach to Management

“…A shared decision-making approach evaluated available options with the patient’s mother. The chosen intervention was a thick silicone sheet to reduce the impact of skin tension on the scar 3. To mitigate the risk of the silicone not achieving optimal contact time with the scar (due to being in a highly mobile location in a young patient) a plaster dressing over the edges of the silicone was required.…”