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Silicone gel sheeting for treating keloid scars
Fan Tian1, Qingling Jiang1, Junjie Chen2
1West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|January 3, 2023
Summary
This review found insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting (SGS) for keloid scars due to very low-certainty evidence from small studies. More high-quality research is needed to guide treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Keloid scarring is a common pathological condition causing physical and psychological distress.
- Silicone gel sheeting (SGS) is a widely used treatment for keloid scars.
- A current systematic review is lacking to assess SGS effectiveness for keloid scars.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting (SGS) for treating keloid scars.
- To compare SGS against standard care or alternative therapies.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic review using Cochrane search methods, with the latest search in December 2021.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing SGS effectiveness in individuals with keloid scars.
- Two review authors independently performed study selection, risk of bias, data extraction, and GRADE assessments.
Main Results:
- Two small RCTs (16 and 20 participants) met the inclusion criteria, exhibiting clinical heterogeneity.
- Evidence regarding the effectiveness of SGS compared to no treatment, non-SGS, or intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was of very low certainty.
- Limited outcome data were reported, with no data on patient-assessed scar severity, adverse events, quality of life, or cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of high-quality RCT evidence on the clinical effectiveness of SGS for keloid scars.
- Current evidence is insufficient to determine if SGS offers benefits over no treatment, non-SGS, or intralesional injections.
- Further well-designed studies with robust methodologies and comprehensive outcome reporting are required to inform clinical decision-making regarding SGS use for keloid scars.
