title: The use of neoprene as a scar management modality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Scar formation is one of the most functionally and cosmetically debilitating results of thermal injuries. Burn team members continuously search for new, cost effective, ways to prevent and treat hypertrophic scar formation. This study is a retrospective review of one facility's use of neoprene based products as an adjunct to, or in place of, traditional scar management techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of all patients treated with neoprene patches or neoprene splints from March 2008 through April 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Vancouver Scar Scores (VSS) were collected, photographs were reviewed and any documented problems reported by the patients were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean VSS scores were significantly lower at follow-up (5.3, SD 2.8) than at initial appointment (11.7, SD 1.4) with an estimated mean difference of 6.3 (P=0.0001). A 95% confidence interval for this mean difference is 3.9-8.7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the reviewed cases, the use of neoprene inserts or splints resulted in a statistically significant reduction in hypertrophic scars with no secondary complications.
authors: Arkansas Children's Hospital Burn Center, United States. Electronic address: yelvingtonml@archildrens.org.
authors: Miranda
authors: M
authors: Yelvington
authors: Arkansas Children's Hospital Burn Center, United States.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Brown
authors: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States.
authors: Maria Melguizo
authors: MM
authors: Castro
authors: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States.
authors: Todd G
authors: TG
authors: Nick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009387:Neoprene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013165:Splints; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009387:Neoprene