The Use of Silicone Gel in the Control of Hypertrophic Scarring

Abstract

A silicone (or silastic) gel manufactured by Dow Corning and distributed by the Wellcome Foundation is successfully being used in the treatment of hypertrophic and depressed scars and contractures after thermal injury and plastic surgery. The gel softens, reduces and blanches scars, but the way it works is still uncertain. Silastic gel sheeting (QZ 9119) has recently been accepted into the European market. This paper aims to show some of the research done on the silicone gel, makes points on application of the gel, and gives a cross-section of case studies. To conclude there are points for discussion. (Silicone gel sheets are also manufactured and distributed by Spenco but at the time of writing this paper the author had not used that product.) A silicone (or silastic) gel manufactured by Dow Corning and distributed by the Wellcome Foundation is successfully being used in the treatment of hypertrophic and depressed scars and contractures after thermal injury and plastic surgery. The gel softens, reduces and blanches scars, but the way it works is still uncertain. Silastic gel sheeting (QZ 9119) has recently been accepted into the European market. This paper aims to show some of the research done on the silicone gel, makes points on application of the gel, and gives a cross-section of case studies. To conclude there are points for discussion. (Silicone gel sheets are also manufactured and distributed by Spenco but at the time of writing this paper the author had not used that product.) Biography: After qualifying from Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh in 1979, Mrs McNee worked at Bangour General Hospital and Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary before having a break to have her two children. She joined the staff at Dundee Royal Infirmary in 1986 as senior physiotherapist in the burns and plastic and oral surgery unit.