The Effects of Topical Agent (Kelo-Cote or Contractubex) Massage on the Thickness of Post-Burn Scar Tissue Formed in Rats

Abstract

BackgroundWe conducted an experimental study to compare the effect of massage using topical agents (Kelo-cote or Contractubex) on scar formation by massaging the healed burn wound on the dorsal area of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.MethodsFour areas of second degree contact burn were made on the dorsal area of each of 15 SD rats, using a soldering iron 15 mm in diameter. After gross epithelialization in the defect, 15 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Kelo-cote group, Contractubex group, Vaseline group, and control group. Rats in three of the groups (all but the Control group) were massaged twice per day for 5 minutes each day, while those in the Control group were left unattended. For histologic analysis, we performed a biopsy and evaluated the thickness of scar tissue.ResultsIn the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the Vaseline and control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups. In the Vaseline group, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the control groups.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that massage using a topical agent is helpful in the prevention of scar formation and that massage only with lubricant (no use of a topical agent) also has a considerable effect, although not as much as the use of a topical agent. Thus, we recommend massage with a topical agent on the post-burn scar as an effective method for decreasing the scar thickness.

Comparison of the effectiveness of topical silicone gel and corticosteroid cream on the pfannenstiel scar prevention — a randomized controlled trial

“…Various mechanisms have been proposed as possible modes of action for silicone-based agents and corticosteroids in the wound healing processes including: 1) an increased temperature or oxygen tension increasing collagenase activity and leading to collagen breakdown shrinking the scars [3,7], 2) occlusion and hydration of wounds [7,13]; reduction in transepidermal water loss decreases stimulation of keratinocytes which stops cytokine production [13], and 3) polarization of the scar tissue caused by a negative static charge between silicone and skin [14] and the modulation of growth factors [9,15,16].…”

“…Silicone gel sheeting and intralesional cortisone injection have been suggested as effective prevention and treatment of HS and keloids [7,8]. Recent studies offer that topical agents might be effective first-line options for non-invasive treatment of these scars [9].…”

Alternative animal model for studies of total skin thickness burns

“…Several works using aluminum coupled to the soldering iron have been presented as an effective method for the reproduction of the experimental model of third degree burns 8,9,[16][17][18][19] , but there is a great discrepancy in the temperature used, which may vary from 100ºC to 200ºC, in addition to the time of application that varies between 5 to 30 seconds. Caliari-Oliveira et al…”

“…, performed a study that reproduced a third degree burn in the dorsal region of the animal, using a soldering iron with a temperature of 200ºC and 25 seconds of application, and the same tissue morphological characteristics were found in the study presented by KO et al 9 who also used a soldering iron to reproduce the lesion with a temperature of 200ºC and a time of application of 10 seconds. Brassolatti et al 18 presented a study in which the experimental model of third degree burn was carried out through an aluminum plate coupled to a soldering iron, but the temperature used was significantly lower, being 150ºC with application on the back of the animal for 10 seconds, demonstrating that it is not necessary to use very high temperatures to perform this type of injury.…”

“…Subsequently, the process of burning the skin of the animal was started through a 3 cm diameter circular aluminum plate coupled to a soldering iron, with a total weight of 190 grams [8][9][10] (Figure 1), heated at a temperature of 150 °C, controlled with the aid of a thermostat ( Figure 2) [10][11][12] . The plate was pressed in the dorsal region of the animals in three different times, being for G5: 5 seconds, G10: 10 seconds and G15: 15 seconds.…”