Survey of treatment modalities for the prevention of hypertrophic facial scars.

The application of pressure to facial burns as a means of preventing or treating hypertrophic scar formation constitutes a major clinical challenge. Success depends on the experience of the therapist, choice of the pressure treatment, proper measurement technique, and adequate duration of therapy. A mail survey of therapists involved in the use of the various pressure modalities reveals a common trend with respect to the type of device used and the duration of therapy. The majority of therapists report that no one treatment produces uniformly excellent results.