Abstract / Summary
Topical silicone dressings show promise in improving scar appearance in procedural scars; however, limited high-quality evidence exists. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to determine the efficacy of silicone tape (3 M Kind Removal Silicone Tape 2770) as a simple affordable post-operative dressing in improving abdominal scar quality. A prospective single-blind self-controlled trial consisted of a 10-week treatment using split scar methodology in adult patients undergoing breast reconstruction with an abdominal donor site scar. Fifty participants were screened and 41 randomized (1:1) to the treatment side of the abdominal scar to apply silicone tape beginning 2 weeks postoperatively. Significant attrition occurred including six participants lost to follow-up and 22 trial discontinuations primarily for wound-related complications. A per-protocol analysis for the primary outcome observer total score on the validated Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) between the treated and untreated scar using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests was significantly improved on the silicone-treated side at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-operatively ( p = 0.0005, p = 0.0025, p = 0.029). The POSAS scores reported by patients were significantly improved with silicone tape at 6 weeks, 3-, and 6-months ( p = 0.014, p = 0.0044, p = 0.001). This trial suggests efficacy of silicone tape to improve scar appearance with near-perfect application as a post-surgical dressing.