THE UTILITY OF ONION EXTRACT GEL CONTAINING TOPICAL ALLANTOIN AND HEPARIN AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT OF UPPER EXTREMITY BURN SCAR

Abstract

Background: The development of hypertrophic scars after burns can lead to esthetic as well as functional disorders. The aim of the study was to determine the functional and cosmetic effects of Contractubex® (onion extract, heparin, allantoin) gel applied in burn scar patients after surgery for scar excision and skin grafts. Patients and Methods: The study included seven male patients who presented to our clinic between 2005 and 2012 for the treatment of hypertrophic burn scar and were administered either single or combined medical hypertrophic scar treatments. Patients who had scars on the right upper extremity were included in group 1 and those with left upper extremity scars in group 2. In group 1, all scars were excised and closed with medium thickness skin graft. After surgery, the onion extract gel was applied to the right upper extremities. In group 2, only surgical treatment was applied. The results were evaluated with Vancouver scar scale. Results: Vascularity, flexibility, and height of the scars improved significantly in both groups. In addition, hyperpigmentation was observed on the skin grafts of all patients. Scar flexibility was less often observed in patients’ left upper extremities. However, no statistical difference between groups 1 and 2 was found. Conclusion: Although no significant difference was obtained with Contractubex gel treatment in this study, cosmetic and functional success can be achieved through excision of the scar and use of medium thickness skin graft in patients with upper extremity hypertrophic burn scarring that is resistant to conservative treatments.