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Current and Emerging Treatments for Postsurgical Cleft Lip Scarring: Effectiveness and Mechanisms
E Papathanasiou1,2, C A Trotman3, A R Scott4
11 Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|June 27, 2017
Summary
Hypertrophic scars (HTS) after cleft lip surgery are common. New therapies targeting inflammation resolution may improve healing and reduce scar formation.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Wound Healing
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Cleft lip and palate are common congenital malformations requiring surgical repair.
- Hypertrophic scar (HTS) formation is a frequent, challenging complication impacting function and aesthetics.
- Current HTS therapies offer limited efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms of HTS formation in cleft lip repair.
- To investigate the role of inflammation and fibrosis in HTS development.
- To highlight the potential of specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) in HTS management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HTS formation and wound healing.
- Analysis of the role of dysregulated inflammation and fibrosis in scar development.
- Exploration of emerging therapeutic strategies involving SPMs.
Main Results:
- HTS results from dysregulated wound healing with excessive collagen deposition.
- Chronic inflammation and impaired tissue remodeling contribute significantly to fibrosis.
- Failure in active inflammation resolution pathways is implicated in HTS.
Conclusions:
- HTS management remains a clinical challenge due to current therapy limitations.
- SPMs show promise in accelerating wound healing by preventing chronic inflammation.
- Targeting inflammation resolution pathways offers novel therapeutic opportunities for HTS prevention and treatment.
