Effectiveness of continuous diffusion of oxygen adjunct therapy to improve scar reduction after anterior neck surgery

Dressing materials are known to influence post-operative surgical wound healing and scar formation (1-2). A particular dressing that could promote wound hydration is key to ensure quick epithelialization and decrease excessive scar formation (3). In this study, we examined effectiveness of a novel dressing* with add-on component of Continuous Diffusion of Oxygen (CDO) to reduce scar length post anterior neck surgery (ANS).

A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in patients undergoing ANS, either for thyroid or parathyroid disease. Patients were randomized (n=1:1) to either control (CG) or intervention (IG) groups. The IG received a portable oxygen delivery system*, whereas the CG received a standard dressing, for a 4-week period. Primary outcome was scar length reduction objectively assessed with an imaging system†. General mixed model was used for analysis. The study was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov-Identifier: NCT03960463.
 

21 patients were recruited (Age: 53 ± 16 years; 90% female; CG=9, IG=12). Five patients were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences between groups for baseline demographics and clinical characteristics. At 4-week, scar length reduction was 40.4% higher (Cohen’s d=1.01, p=0.043) in the IG compared to the CG. In addition, 88.8% of IG achieved more than 10% of scar reduction compared to the CG (28.5%).

This is the first study to assess scar reduction with the use of CDO adjunct therapy after ANS. Results suggest that advanced dressing using CDO may improve wound healing post ANS including better outcomes for scar visualization. We speculate that reduced scar in the IG is due to tissue oxygenation and higher tissue moisture in response to CDO, which are known factors to accelerate healing. A larger sample is required to validate this observation.

Trademarked Items (if applicable): * TransCu O2®, EO2 Concepts, SA, TX, USA
† Snapshot NIR, KENT Imaging Inc., Calgary, AB, CAN

References (if applicable): 1. Huang YH, et al. Wound Closure after Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Scand J Surg. 2019 Jun;108(2):101-108.
2. Alicandri-Ciufelli M, et al. Aesthetic comparison between synthetic glue and subcuticular sutures in thyroid and parathyroid surgery: a single-blinded randomised clinical trial. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2014 Dec;34(6):406-11.
3. Moore KA, et al. Reduction of postoperative scar formation with silicone sheeting: 2 case studies. J Am Col Certif Wound Spec. 2010 Sep;2(3):60–62.