Correlation between dermal thickness and scar formation in female patients after thyroidectomy.
- Author:
Hong Il KIM
1
;
Chan Yee KWAK
;
Hyo Young KIM
;
Hyung Suk YI
;
Eun Ju PARK
;
Jeong Hoon KIM
;
Jin Hyung PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Skinfold thickness; Hypertrophic cicatrix
- MeSH: Cicatrix*; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; Dermis; Female*; Humans; Patient Satisfaction; Skinfold Thickness; Surgery, Plastic; Thyroidectomy*; Ultrasonography
- From:Archives of Craniofacial Surgery 2018;19(2):120-126
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Minimizing scarring has long been a challenge in plastic surgery. Factors affecting scar formation are well known, but the effect of some patient-specific factors such as dermal thickness remains unverified. Management of factors predictive of scarring can improve postoperative patient satisfaction and scar treatment. METHODS: For 3 years, we used ultrasonography to measure dermal thickness in female patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for cancer at our hospital. We confirmed the influence of dermal thickness on hypertrophic scar formation and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scar score 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between dermal thickness and scar score (p < 0.05), and dermal thickness appears to be a cause of hypertrophic scar formation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thick dermis was found to cause poor scar formation and hypertrophic scarring. Prediction of factors that can influence scar formation can be used to educate patients before surgery and can help in scar management and improvement in patient satisfaction.
