Hydrocolloid Dressing vs Petroleum Ointment for Scar Appearance After Dermatologic Surgery
Summary: This randomized controlled trial compares hydrocolloid dressings (HCDs) to petroleum ointments for postoperative wound care after dermatologic surgery, assessing healing time, infection rates, and scar quality via Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Involving patients with surgical wounds, the study found HCDs accelerated closure (12.5 vs. 18.3 days), reduced infections (2.1% vs. 5.4%), and yielded better scars (VSS 3.2 vs. 4.8 at 6 months), with higher patient satisfaction (85% vs. 62%). HCDs’ moist environment supports optimal healing, making them preferable for minimizing hypertrophic scarring in tension-prone areas.
Key Highlights:
- Methods: Randomized assignment to HCD or petroleum groups; assessments at multiple intervals; included standard care control for comparison.
- Healing: HCDs shortened closure time by ~6 days (p<0.01) and cut infection risk (p=0.03) via moist barrier.
- Scarring: Lower VSS/POSAS scores for HCDs at 6 months (p<0.001/<0.01); softer, less pigmented scars with better pliability.
- Patient outcomes: 85% rated HCD scars “good/excellent” vs. 62% for petroleum (p=0.02); ideal for avoiding daily applications.
- Implications: Recommends HCDs in protocols for surgical wounds; further studies on long-term maturation and costs needed.
Keywords: hydrocolloid dressings, post-surgical scars, Vancouver Scar Scale, moist wound healing, dermatologic surgery