How to reduce scarring after surgery

Interview with specialist hand surgeon Mischa Wiegand

How important are scars and scar care in your daily work?

Scars are my daily business. A wound that heals fast, with a quick reduction of pain and a high quality scarring are crucial in order to prevent a limitation of functionality. This is of special impor-tance in hand surgery.

Is there a need for more effective therapies or products in scar care?

Scar care today is dominated by silicone-based products or massage oils. The moisturising effect of the silicone film and massaging of the scar positively support the healing process. Unfortunately, the typical scar care products can only be applied once the wound has completely healed. Ideally, the scarring process could be supported/influenced already in the early post-surgical phase.

What is the feedback from patients, whose wounds/scars were treated with 1 Primary Wound Dressing?

The patient feedback is inline with my observations. The patients also tell me that the simple application is a big benefit of the product. The fact that the patients can use 1 Primary Wound Dressing to improve the wound healing AND to support the scarring process simplifies the post-surgical treatment even further.

Do you think that the positive results can be explained by the fact that the product is used early in the scarring phase?

Definitely. If inflammation, pain and tissue tension can be tackled early, we can expect a superior development of the scar tissue and the pa-tient can start to mobilize the affected area earlier, which results in a very positive overall outcome.

Do you know of any other reasons for the positive effect on the functional and cosmetic result of the scar formation?

1 Primary Wound Dressing contains specific plant-based fatty acids. It is known that these specific fatty acids are effective in scar management. These fatty acids can change the collagen organization and inhibit post-inflammatory mediators. In addition it is assumed that they serve in the normalization of stratum corneum integrity and development when added to the pool of free fatty acids in the epidermis.

When do you use 1 Primary Wound Dressing?

I use on all post-surgical wounds starting on day 2 after surgery.

Can you explain the cases below?

Figure 1 is the image of a patient 14 days following a ring tendon surgery on the right hand. The patient is pain free and able to mobilise the hand almost completely. The condition of the scar 14 days post surgery is already far into the maturation phase. I typically see such a condition only after 30 days.
Figure 2 is a patient with Guyon Canal decompression, 14 days post surgery. No relevant scar hardening can be seen and only a minor reddening of the skin. The patient is able to move the wrist completely. Scars on the wrist are often problematic. When using 1 Primary Wound Dressing the results are very satisfying.“