Silicone versus nonsilicone gel dressings: A controlled trial

Background. Silicone gel dressings decrease scar volume and soften hypertro phic tissue, allowing it to be more easily controlled by other methods. Alt hough silicone does not appear to be an essential component of the treatmen t, 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 treatme nt of keloids and hypertrophic scars, including a control group, and to eva luate the effectiveness of these treatments using two new assessment techni ques. Methods. Patients were randomly chosen to receive silicone or nonsilicone g el dressings in a 4.5-month controlled prospective study. Scar size, indura tion, and symptoms were evaluated before and after the treatment. Scar colo r 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 get dressings are equally effective in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.