Intraoperative Interventions for Scar Optimization in Cutaneous Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Oncology
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Scarring is a frequent complication following cutaneous surgery.
• Poor scarring negatively impacts patient quality of life and satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a framework for selecting intraoperative interventions.
• The goal is to minimize scarring after dermatological surgery.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive MEDLINE search was performed.
• Keywords included "surgical scars," "scarring," "scar intervention," and "scar reduction."
• Included were clinical trials and opinion pieces, excluding non-English articles or those not focused on intraoperative interventions.

Main Results:

• Suture techniques and materials influence scar appearance.
• Intraoperative tissue abrasion (dermabrasion, electroabrasion, laser ablation) affects wound outcomes.
• Exogenous materials like botulinum toxin, steroids, platelet preparations, and stem cells aid wound healing.
• No single intervention is universally superior; choices depend on individual patient and wound factors.

Conclusions:

• Numerous intraoperative strategies are available to dermatological surgeons.
• Optimizing scar outcomes involves tailoring interventions to specific patient and wound characteristics.