title: Preventive Effect of Human Acellular Dermal Matrix on Post-thyroidectomy Scars and Adhesions: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been used for antiadhesion formation along with wound healing in various surgical fields.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim is to assess the efficacy of ADM implantation in the prevention of postoperative scars and adhesions after conventional, open, total thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to the study (ADM implantation) or control group (without ADM). Global photographic assessment, Vancouver scar scale (VSS), objective scar assessment, and swallowing impairment index were assessed at baseline, immediately after surgery, and at 1 and 2 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen control and 20 study group participants completed the study. The mean VSS score of the study group was significantly lower than the controls at both 1 month (3.06 ± 1.25 vs 4.41 ± 1.54, respectively) and 2 months (2.76 ± 1.56 vs 4.35 ± 1.58, respectively) after surgery. Scar quality measures (mean melanin and erythema indexes) were significantly lower in the study group compared with controls. Study group participants had significantly lower swallowing impairment scores than controls. The mean postoperative hospitalization of both groups was not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acellular dermal matrix-assisted implants appear to improve post-thyroidectomy scar and swallowing impairments without delays in operation time.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; †Department of Surgery, Institute of Endocrine Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Do Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Dae Suk
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Woong Youn
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Cheong Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ju Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kee-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nam
mesh_terms: D062088:Acellular Dermis; D000328:Adult; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome