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Use of silicone gel sheets for prevention of keloid scars after median sternotomy

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Abstract

Purpose

A keloid scar often appears at the incision site of patients after median sternotomy. Use of silicone gel to treat hypertrophic burn scars and fresh incisions has yielded encouraging results. In this study, we report our experience with the preventive use of silicone gel sheets for keloid scars after median sternotomy.

Methods

Nine patients who underwent a median sternotomy were studied. A silicone gel sheet was kept directly on the surgical incision for 24 h starting 2 weeks after surgery. The treatment was repeated with a new sheet every 4 weeks for 24 weeks, at which times the subjective symptoms and the changes in keloid scars were determined.

Results

None of the patients experienced an aggravation of any subjective symptoms during the 24-week study. After 24 weeks, all patients were free of a keloid scar that showed a rise and contraction of skin and causes discomfort. No adverse events were reported by any of the patients.

Conclusion

A silicone gel sheet is safe and effective for the preventing the formation of keloid scars after median sternotomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan

    Motoki Sakuraba, Nobumasa Takahashi, Taku Akahoshi, Yoshikazu Miyasaka & Kenji Suzuki

Authors
  1. Motoki Sakuraba
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  2. Nobumasa Takahashi
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  3. Taku Akahoshi
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  4. Yoshikazu Miyasaka
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  5. Kenji Suzuki
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Sakuraba, M., Takahashi, N., Akahoshi, T. et al. Use of silicone gel sheets for prevention of keloid scars after median sternotomy. Surg Today 41, 496–499 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-010-4265-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-010-4265-5

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