The Effects of Multi-Growth Factors-Containing Cream on Post-Thyroidectomy Scars: A Preliminary Study

Safety and Efficacy of a Scar Cream Consisting of Highly Selective Growth Factors Within a Silicone Cream Matrix: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Several growth factors and hyaluronic acid are implicated in fetal scarless healing. Whether these factors can be applied to an adult scar to improve scar characteristics is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the efficacy and safety of SKN2017B, a proprietary topical cream consisting of selective synthetic recombinant human growth factors and hyaluronic acid in a silicone base containing a specifically formulated silicone cream for postsurgical scar treatment.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study, unilateral or bilateral facial or truncal scars in adult surgical patients were randomly treated with SKN2017B or silicone cream. Study investigators, study patients, and 2 independent reviewers assessed improvement in scar characteristics after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Forty-nine bilateral and 12 unilateral scars in 45 patients were treated with SKN2017B or silicone. At 12 weeks, investigators rated 74% of scars treated with SKN2017B as showing overall improvement vs 54% of silicone-treated scars, a 73% relative improvement with SKN2017B (P < 0.0001). Patients rated a moderate-to-significant improvement in 85% of SKN2017B-treated scars vs 51% of silicone-treated scars, a 67% relative improvement with SKN2017B (P < 0.001). Independent reviewers rated 87% of scars treated with SKN2017B to be better overall vs 1% of scars treated with silicone (P < 0.0001). There were no tolerability issues or adverse reactions with either cream.

CONCLUSIONS

SKN2017B consists of highly selective growth factors within a silicone cream matrix and is well tolerated and effective for surgical scar management.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1

Preventive effect of polynucleotide on post-thyroidectomy scars: A randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Polynucleotide (PN) provides a structural scaffold to induce anti-inflammatory and enhanced wound healing properties, and this study aimed to assess the efficacy of PN administration in the prevention of post-operative scars after conventional open total thyroidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with thyroid carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to the study (PN administration) or control (normal saline) group. All patients underwent a single session of combined ablative and non-ablative fractional laser. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), global photographic assessment, and objective scar were assessed using three-dimensional (3D) camera at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent PN injection demonstrated better surgical scar quality outcome. Participants in the PN administration group had lower VSS scores than the control group (2.09 ± 0.47 vs. 4.01 ± 0.55, respectively) and lower scar height (0.23 ± 0.03 vs. 0.29 ± 0.03, respectively), as measured using 3D imaging. Furthermore, in the PN injected group, the degree of erythema, and pigmentation of the scar were less prominent. No patient developed hypertrophic scar or keloids on the surgical site. No other adverse events, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, or infection, were observed.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant administration of PN along with conventional fractional laser treatment led to more favorable effect in wound healing and post-operative scar prevention after thyroidectomy. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.