After sutures are removed, the edges of a healing incision are pulled in different directions by the taut surrounding skin, causing scar tissue to thicken and expand. The dressing, which the authors call a “stress-shielding device,” eliminates this tension and reduces the amount of scarring.
The dressing is made of a thin and elastic silicone plastic that is stretched over the incision after sutures have been removed. The dressing sticks to the skin with an adhesive and provides uniform compression across the wound as it contracts.
The researchers predicted the dressing will be used to reduce scarring from incisions and to make the surgical revision of existing scars a more appealing option. The study will be published online on May 23 in the Annals of Surgery.
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