title: The effect of topical scar treatment on postoperative scar pain and pruritus after total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The surgical wound of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) needs continuous flexion and extension movement. Silicone gel treatment is widely used to treat hypertrophic scars and keloids since it is easily applied and prevents scar pain and itching. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of silicone gel applied to surgical scars of TKA on postoperative scar pain and pruritus.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred TKAs were randomized into a silicone gel group (silicone gel was applied to the wound after stitch-out for 1 month) or a placebo group. The postoperative scar pain and pruritus were evaluated with the use of a visual analog scale (VAS) at postoperative 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Scar assessment was done using the Vancouver scar scale by evaluating scar pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although silicone gel group showed better pigmentation and height scales than placebo group (P < 0.05), there were no significant differences in the postoperative scar pain and pruritus VAS scores between the groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of silicone gel had no beneficial effects on scar pain and itching relief during the early postoperative period of TKA.
  
  
  METHODS
  I-Randomized Controlled Trial.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Chae-Gwan
authors: CG
authors: Kong
authors: Geon-Hyeong
authors: GH
authors: Kim
authors: Dong-Wook
authors: DW
authors: Kim
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: In
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020034:Silicone Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels