OBJECTIVETo evaluate a "silicone suture" technique for enhancing the effect of scalp reduction.

METHODSUnder the local anesthesia, when an incision was made in the midline of the lesion, the dissection was carried out underlying the sub-galea on both sides of the lesion, as far as the width of the lesion. A 3 mm silicone suture in diameter was placed in the galea beyond the lesion. After the first suture bite was anchored in the tissue at one end, the suture device was continued across the midline in such a way as a running, buried, horizontal mattress suture and it was brought out to the skin surface through the deep tissue at the another end of the lesion with a locker. The extra-tissue of the lesion was then excised and the wound was directly closed in layers. After one week of the operation, the silicone suture was gradually tightened in 2-3 times a week for about 3-5 weeks, until both sides of the lesion were approximately closed. The device was there after removed and the wound was directly closed in layers after the scar was excised.

RESULTSBetween October of 1999 and March of 2006, 12 scarring-scalp patients, 7 males and 5 females, were treated by using the silicone suture device without complications. The excised defects were 5-10.5 cm in width. The stretching period was 26.4 days in mean. With the following-ups over 3 months, no hypertrophic scar and widening scar cases appeared.

CONCLUSIONSThe silicone suture as an alternative device for tissue extension could be a safe, simple, effective and economical device. It could significantly enhance the efficiency of scalp reduction.