Silicone versus nonsilicone gel dressings: a controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Silicone gel dressings decrease scar volume and soften hypertrophic tissue, allowing it to be more easily controlled by other methods. Although silicone does not appear to be an essential component of the treatment, nonsilicone dressings have been reported to cause no change in physical parameters during a 2-month treatment period.

OBJECTIVE: To compare silicone and nonsilicone gel dressings in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars, including a control group, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments using two new assessment techniques.

METHODS: Patients were randomly chosen to receive silicone or nonsilicone gel dressings in a 4.5-month controlled prospective study. Scar size, induration, and symptoms were evaluated before and after the treatment. Scar color was visually measured using a color palette catalog, and a new device was developed to measure intracicatricial pressure.

RESULTS: All of the measured parameters were significantly reduced in both silicone- and nonsilicone-treated groups, as compared to the control, with no significant differences between them.

CONCLUSION: Silicone and nonsilicone gel dressings are equally effective in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.