Comparison of efficacy of silicone gel, silicone gel sheeting, and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin for the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of silicone gel (Scarfade ®), silicone gel sheet (Epi-Derm™), and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin (Contractubex ®) for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. Forty-five postburn scars were included in the study. Patients with scars less than 6 months from injury were assigned at random to three groups each containing 15 scars, and their treatment was continued for 6 months. Scars were treated with Scarfade ®, Epiderm™ and Contractubex ®. Scar assessment was performed at the beginning of the treatment, and at the end of the sixth month when the treatment was completed by using the Vancouver scar scale. The difference between before and after treatment scores for each three groups was statistically significant. The difference between Scarfade ® group and Epi-Derm™ group was not significant; however, the differences of the other groups (Scarfade ®-Contractubex ®, Epiderm™-Contractubex ®) were significant. Silicone products, either in gel or sheet, are superior to Contractubex ® in the treatment of the hypertrophic scar. The therapist should select the most appropriate agent according to the patient's need and guidelines of these signs.