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Postoperative Scar Management Protocol for Asian Patients

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  • Non-Surgical Aesthetic
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Abstract

Background

Postoperative scar formation remains a morbidity for patients even with the advent of minimally invasive techniques. Furthermore, the significant difference between the Asian and Caucasian skin results in poorer postoperative scar outcomes in Asians, supporting the need for an evidence-based scar management protocol.

Methods

Following a literature review of the PubMed and the Cochrane databases over the past 10 years, we constructed a novel postoperative scar management protocol for the Asian skin, utilized in a Singaporean tertiary healthcare institution.

Results

We describe a timeline-based scar protocol from the point of skin closure to a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. We support the use of intraoperative botulinum toxin for selected high-risk individuals upon skin closure with a follow-up regimen in the postoperative setting. For recalcitrant keloids, we have described a multimodal therapy comprising elements of intralesional steroids, botulinum toxin, lasers, surgery, and radiotherapy.

Conclusions

A consolidated postoperative scar management protocol provides the necessary guidance for improved scar outcomes in the Asian skin. There is inherent potential in expanding the protocol to include post-traumatic and burn wounds or support other skin types including the Caucasian skin.

No Level Assigned

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Acknowledgements

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. All adapted materials from previous publications have also been adequately highlighted, with the use of in-text citations adopted where necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, National University Hospital (NUH), 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore

    Hargaven Singh Gill, Low O-Wern, Priya Tiwari, Gurveer Kaven Singh Gill, Chance Goh, Janet Hung, Jing Tzer Lee, Thiam Chye Lim, Jane Lim, Yan Lin Yap & Vigneswaran Nallathamby

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  1. Hargaven Singh Gill
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  2. Low O-Wern
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  3. Priya Tiwari
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  4. Gurveer Kaven Singh Gill
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  6. Janet Hung
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Contributions

Authors Hargaven S Gill and Gurveer KS Gill assisted with the drafting and formulating of the manuscript. Authors Low O-Wern, Priya Tiwari and Vigneswaran Nallathamby assisted with editing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Priya Tiwari.

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Gill, H.S., O-Wern, L., Tiwari, P. et al. Postoperative Scar Management Protocol for Asian Patients. Aesth Plast Surg 48, 461–471 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03696-2

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