title: Arnica Ointment 10% Does Not Improve Upper Blepharoplasty Outcome: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that arnica can reduce postoperative edema and ecchymosis associated with cosmetic surgical procedures and improve outcome. Despite a high incidence of arnica use among upper blepharoplasty patients, evidence to support its treatment effect is lacking. The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of arnica ointment after upper blepharoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-six bilateral upper blepharoplasty patients were randomized between arnica ointment 10% and placebo ointment. In both study arms, one periorbital area was designated as the treatment side (either arnica or placebo ointment), and the contralateral side served as an untreated (no ointment) internal control. As the primary endpoint, the overall periorbital appearance as based on light photography and judged by a medical and nonmedical panel, was assessed after 3 days, 7 days, and 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints were swelling, ecchymosis, erythema, pain, and patient satisfaction with recovery and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between arnica and placebo in overall judgment of periorbital appearance 3 days, 7 days, and 6 weeks after surgery. Furthermore, swelling, ecchymosis, erythema, pain, and patient satisfaction with recovery and outcome did not differ between arnica and placebo. Postoperative outcome in untreated eyelids was not different from eyelids treated with either arnica or placebo on any of the studied outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' study demonstrates that topical arnica ointment after upper blepharoplasty does not improve postoperative outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, II.
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Denise C E
authors.initials: DCE
authors.lastname: van Exsel
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Shariselle M W
authors.initials: SMW
authors.lastname: Pool
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Jeroen H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Uchelen
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Mireille A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Edens
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Berend
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van der Lei
authors.affiliation: Zwolle, Utrecht, and Groningen, The Netherlands.|From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Innovation and Science, Isala; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; and the Bergman Clinics.
authors.forename: Wynand B W H
authors.initials: WBWH
authors.lastname: Melenhorst
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D018650:Arnica; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D010936:Plant Extracts