Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;12(1):34-41
Introduction: Silicone dressings and Triamcinolone injections are known to improve keloids and hypertrophic scars size, erythema, flexibility, and symptoms such as pain and itching. These treatments are non-invasive, inexpensive, and widely used as first or second-line therapy; however, studies comparing them are still lacking.
Objective: To compare silicone dressings, triamcinolone injections, and a combination group, to treat hypertrophic scars, at the same anatomical area, caused by the same mechanism of injury.
Materials and methods: In a prospective study, 12 patients with median-sternotomy scars were randomized into 3 groups (n=4 patients each): group 1, monthly triamcinolone injections; group 2, a combination of silicone dressings and triamcinolone injections; and group 3, silicone dressings. Patients were evaluated in monthly clinical appointments using the Vancouver Scale and the durometer. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy for collagen types I and VI were performed in scar samples. The groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests, with p<0,05 indicating significance.
Results: The three treatments were effective in reducing the Vancouver scores. A difference between the three groups was observed at time 2 when triamcinolone was less effective. Group 2 showed an improvement on pigmentation (p = 0,042). Collagens types I and VI presented increased fluorescence throughout the superficial and deep dermis in untreated lesions, which decreased after the treatment. Although the number of patients is limited, this is the first prospective study addressing some of the major bias in scars treatment.
Keywords: Scar; Keloid; Silicone gel; Triamcinolone
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