Silicone gel sheeting for the prevention and management of evolving hypertrophic and keloid scars.

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic scars and keloids remain a problem for surgeons. Topical and intralesional corticosteroids, positive pressure dressings, cryotherapy, and laser therapy are helpful but not uniformly successful.

OBJECTIVE

To document the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting in the prevention and/or reduction of evolving hypertrophic scars and keloids.

METHODS

Silicone gel sheeting was placed over evolving scars in 20 cases. The dressing was worn for at least 12 hours a day. Biopsies were examined for the presence of silica in the tissue.

RESULTS

Lesions improved during the treatment period in 85% of the cases. The mechanisms of action are unknown. Positive pressure was not necessary. No silica from the dressing was found at the wound site.

CONCLUSION

Daily treatments with silicone gel sheeting should begin as soon as an itchy red streak develops in a maturing wound. The dressing is effective in reducing the bulk of these lesions.