Ann Dermatol.  2017 Jun;29(3):314-320. 10.5021/ad.2017.29.3.314.

The Effects of Multi-Growth Factors-Containing Cream on Post-Thyroidectomy Scars: A Preliminary Study

• Shin S
• Shin JU
• Lee Y
• Chung WY
• Nam KH
• Kwon TG
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2378531
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2017.29.3.314

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Growth factors play important roles in wound healing. However, the evidence for the effects of growth factors on post-thyroidectomy scars is limited.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a prospective study to assess the preventive and therapeutic effect of a multi-growth factor (MGF)-containing cream on post-thyroidectomy scars.
METHODS
Twenty-one patients with thyroidectomy scars applied MGF cream twice a day. We assessed the changes in erythema, pigmentation, skin elasticity, and skin hydration status using the erythema index, melanin index, cutometer, and corneometer, respectively. In addition, Vancouver scar scale (VSS) and patient satisfaction were assessed at 10 days after surgery (baseline), 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline.
RESULTS
The mean total VSS scores were significantly lower at 6 weeks (3.24±1.51 vs. 1.91±1.38) and 12 weeks (3.24±1.51 vs. 1.71±1.59) compared to the baseline. The degree of pigmentation was significantly lower at 12 weeks compared to the baseline, and the skin elasticity, and the skin hydration status were significantly higher at 12 weeks compared to the baseline. Over 85% of the patients were satisfied with the use of MGF cream without any adverse effect.
CONCLUSION
MGF cream might have additive or supportive effect for scar formation after thyroidectomy.

Keyword

Growth factor; Scar

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix*
Elasticity
Erythema
Humans
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Melanins
Patient Satisfaction
Pigmentation
Prospective Studies
Skin
Skin Pigmentation
Thyroidectomy
Wound Healing
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Melanins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A~D) Data from the objective assessments of the patients at every visit. V1: visit 1 (baseline), V2: visit 2 (2 weeks after applying multi-growth factor [MGF] cream), V3: visit 3 (6 weeks after applying MGF cream), V4: visit 4 (12 weeks after applying MGF cream). *Signifies statistically significant difference (p<0.05).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A~E) Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score of the patients at every visit. V1: visit 1 (baseline), V2: visit 2 (2 weeks after applying multi-growth factor [MGF] cream), V3: visit 3 (6 weeks after applying MGF cream), V4: visit 4 (12 weeks after applying MGF cream). *Signifies statistically significant difference (p <0.05).

• 

  Fig. 3 Photographs of a 48-year-old male patient taken at each visit. (A) Baseline (Vancouver scar scale [VSS] vascularity 1, pigmentation 1, pliability 1, height 0), (B) 2 weeks after applying multi-growth factor (MGF) cream (VSS vascularity 0, pigmentation 0, pliability 1, height 0), (C) 6 weeks after applying MGF cream (VSS vascularity 0, pigmentation 0, pliability 0, height 0), (D) 12 weeks after applying MGF cream (VSS vascularity 0, pigmentation 0, pliability 0, height 0). The post-thyroidectomy scar showed improvement after applying MGF cream.

• 

  Fig. 4 Overall satisfaction score after applying multi-growth factor cream.

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