title: [Topical Preparations for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids: A Literature Review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids represents a special challenge particularly in plastic surgery. Given their simple, non-invasive and painless application, topical preparations are an attractive therapeutic option. On the part of the patients, the efficacy in prevention of and therapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids of these topical preparations is regularly questioned. The clarification of this issue is subject of this review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature research on the databases Medline, Medline Plus, Oldmedline and Cochrane Library was conducted. All randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, case series and case studies from the German and English literature, dealing with topical preparations approved in the German speaking area, were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this research, 14 topical preparations were identified. However, there is limited data regarding their efficacy as compared to each other, to other treatment options or untreated controls. Only for 6 topical preparations studies with high evidence level exist. Contractubex showed best results in the prevention of pathological scars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though Contractubex shows preventive effects and can be recommended based on current data, further studies are needed to strengthen the body of evidence and to prove the therapeutic efficacy of topical preparations in general.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Für Hand, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie der Universität Heidelberg, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Schwerbrandverletzte, Handchirurgiezentrum, Operatives Referenzzentrum für Gliedmaßentumoren, BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Bochum.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Plastische Chirurgie, Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Campus Kiel, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drücke
authors.affiliation: Klinik Für Hand, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie der Universität Heidelberg, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diehm
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Schwerbrandverletzte, Handchirurgiezentrum, Operatives Referenzzentrum für Gliedmaßentumoren, BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Bochum.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehnhardt
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Schwerbrandverletzte, Handchirurgiezentrum, Operatives Referenzzentrum für Gliedmaßentumoren, BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Bochum.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daigeler
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013518:Surgery, Plastic
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations