title: Efficacy of early initiation of a gel containing extractum cepae, heparin, and allantoin for scar treatment: an observational, noninterventional study of daily practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contractubex® (Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) is a gel containing extractum cepae, heparin, and allantoin with proven efficacy in the prevention of excessive scarring and promotion of physiological scar formation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of early initiation of Contractubex in the prevention of excessive scarring and promotion of physiological scar formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 1,268 patients were included in this observational, noninterventional study. Patients were assessed at visit 1 (within 3 weeks of the injury), when treatment was initiated, with subsequent assessments after 2 to 3 months of treatment, and at the end of the study (after 4 to 5 months of treatment). Parameters measured included scar size, color, and pliability (consistency/hardness), as well as patients' and physicians' subjective assessments of treatment efficacy and tolerability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 2 to 3 months of treatment, there were statistically significant improvements in color and pliability of the scar, sensation of pain, tension, and pruritus compared with visit 1 (P<.0001). By the end of the study, further statistically significant improvements compared with visit 1 were observed for all parameters. Only about 1% of scars were rated as markedly red or markedly hardened at the final visit. In addition, there was a reduction of 31.5% in mean scar width and of 47.8% in mean scar height at the end of the observation period. A high percentage of patients (85.8%) and physicians (86.6%) rated the treatment as good or very good with respect to prevention of excessive scarring and promotion of physiological scar development. Tolerability was described as good or very good by 92.0% of physicians and 91.5% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the scar gel is effective in preventing excessive scarring and promoting physiological scar formation when treatment is initiated early. In addition, the treatment was well tolerated.
authors: Pediatric Surgical Research Institute Münster-Datteln, Münster, Germany. G.Willital@web.de
authors: Günter H
authors: GH
authors: Willital
authors: Jeannette
authors: J
authors: Simon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000481:Allantoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003116:Color; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005782:Gels; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts; C053099:allantoin, heparin, onion extract drug combination; D000481:Allantoin; D006493:Heparin