Following traumatic or
surgical injury to the skin,
wounds do not heal by tissue regeneration but rather by
scar formation. Though healing is definitely a welcomed event, the resultant
scar, very often, is not aesthetically pleasing, and not infrequently, may be pathologic causing serious
deformities and
contractures. Management of problematic
scars continues to be a frustrating endeavor with less than optimal results. Prophylactic methods of
wound management to minimize serious
scarring are being developed. In a previously published study, we have demonstrated improved healing of split thickness skin graft donor sites following treatment with
Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO, Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE). At present, we are reporting the results of a comparative clinical prospective study evaluating
scar quality following primary healing of elective surgical and traumatic facial
wounds with prophylactic MEBO application, topical
antibiotic ointment application, and no topical
therapy at all.
Scars were evaluated according to the Visual Analogue Scale for
scar assessment. Statistical analysis of
scar assessment scores demonstrated marked prevention of unfavorable
scars with improved cosmetic results following MEBO prophylactic
therapy.