title: Update on scar management: guidelines for treating Asian patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following injury, Asian skin has a tendency towards hyper-pigmentation and scar formation, and therefore the prevention of scarring is particularly important in Asian patients. Since publication of an International Clinical Recommendation on Scar Management in 2002, there have been numerous publications in the field of scar management. Advances in understanding scar formation have also led to the introduction of new treatments as well as a better understanding of established therapeutic options.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search for abstracts, clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating scar prevention and treatment was performed using PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Based on this data a panel of experts formulated treatment recommendations for Asian patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following surgery, scar prevention should be initiated in all Asian patients due to the high risk of poor scars. There is strong evidence for the efficacy of silicone based products, and due to their ease of use, they can be considered first-line therapy. Silicone gel (versus silicone gel sheets) products have demonstrated efficacy. For patients who fail to respond to first-line therapy, intralesional steroid injections, radiation therapy, and intralesional 5-flourouracil injections have achieved widespread acceptance. Laser treatments have been increasingly used, although the evidence remains largely anecdotal without a clear consensus on optimal wavelength, or amount of energy. Surgical approaches have increased in sophistication with recognition of the impact that tension has on scar formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Updated scar management recommendations will benefit practitioners making decisions regarding optimal, evidence-based treatment strategies for their patients.
authors.affiliation: Seoul, Korea; Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Tokyo, Japan; and Chicago, Ill. From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Institute of Dermatological Science, College of Medicine, Seoul National University; the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Sukwha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Rei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Jeong Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mustoe
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D020034:Silicone Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020034:Silicone Gels; D013256:Steroids