7 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This is a double (physician and patient) blinded randomized controlled clinical trial in which patients who have undergone bilateral direct brow ptosis repair undergo a trial in which one of brow is injected with placebo 0.9% Normal Saline and the contra-lateral brow is injected with 0.3-0.6 mL over the entire brow of 50mg/mL 5-Fluorouracil sub-dermal injections. The researchers aim to investigate whether injecting 5-Fluorouracil preemptively will not only accelerate wound healing and decrease hypertrophic scar formation compared to placebo, but also improve overall scar appearance in a safe manner.
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the pulsed-dye laser (PDL) at two different wavelengths, 585nm and 595nm, in the treatment of post-surgical scars starting on suture-removal day.
This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded study to compare Prineo™ with subcuticular sutures in 20 women undergoing bilateral breast reduction. For each patient, the final skin layer of one breast will be closed with subcuticular suture while the other breast will be closed with Prineo™. The treatment will be randomized to left or right breast. Therefore, the investigators will have 20 breasts in the suture group and 20 in the Prineo™ group, with each patient serving as her own control. For this study, the resident will close one side with suture and Dr. Rohde will apply the Prineo. The investigators will perform this study of incision closure under conditions as similar to normal conditions of closure.
Dermatological surgeons wear many hats to care for subjects with skin cancer. While their role in cancerous tissue removal results in superior cure rates, there is also a need for skilled excisional repair and effective wound healing regimens so the subject can heal with the least amount of scarring necessary. As such, numerous techniques have been developed for reducing the morbidity associated with excessive scarring. Various flaps and grafts allow the surgeon to approximate skin texture, thickness and adnexa with respect to the residual surrounding tissue. Optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes require close wound approximation with minimal static tension along the wound edge. In addition, there are post-operative wound care techniques that range from special dressings to cosmetic scar modification. To date, most surgical wounds are allowed to heal at least partially before scar revision or modulation is attempted. Botulinum toxin presents a unique opportunity for surgeons to affect scar formation throughout the duration of the healing process. These effects are likely independent and adjunctive to any and all wound care techniques, and are primarily attributed to a reduction in dynamic tension on the wound edges. Most importantly, botulinum toxin's one time dosing requirements with respect to reduced scar formation precludes the variance inherent to standard wound care practices. Therefore, it has been proposed that for selected subjects, botulinum toxin may be a safe, effective and reliable means for improved post-excisional repair outcomes. Botulinum toxin has been investigated as an inhibitor of excessive, post-excisional scar formation in plastic surgery and Otorhinolaryngology literature. However, these promising studies have yet to combine objective assessment measures of human scar formation in a randomized controlled trial. In addition, there are currently no formal studies of botulinum toxin as a prophylactic against excess scarring in the dermatological literature. Fortunately, Botulinum toxin dosing in the forehead for the purposes of inhibiting excessive scar formation is comparable to the amount given for cosmetic purposes, which is commonplace in dermatology and well-studied.
Patients will be randomized either to receive standard daily dressing or hydrocolloid dressing using a randomization generator. After closing the wound with the sutures,the scar will be covered by a hydrocolloid dressing, which will be left in place for 7 days(Experimental) or the standard dressing (Control) that will be covered with petrolatum jelly and bandaging during this time period, which has to be re-applied daily. Patients and dermatologic surgeons will then complete surveys 7 days, 30 days, and 90 days after surgery to evaluate the cosmetic appearance of these scars.
All patients undergoing breast biopsy, lumpectomy, needle-localization-guided breast biopsy, and mastectomy at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Center One, or Einstein Elkins Park will be offered participation into the study. Patients who have documented allergies to adhesive or tape, patients taking chronic steroids, and patients with documented connective tissue, skin, or healing disorders will be excluded from the study. Risks and benefits of the study as well as risks and benefits of the procedure will be discussed with the patient by one of the investigators. If the patient elects to participate in the study, they will be assigned to incisional dressing at the time of operation with either in-line or perpendicular placement of Steri-Strips based on the patient's computer-generated randomization assignment. The patient's chart will be reviewed to determine the patient's age and comorbid conditions including obesity (pre-operative BMI), diabetes mellitus, use of anti-platelet or anticoagulant medication, or smoking. This information will be utilized to ensure that our study groups are similar in baseline demographics and pre-existing conditions. Additionally, the primary medical reason for needing breast surgery will be reviewed as well as treatment with pre-operative or post-operative chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the breast. Steri-Strips will not be removed and will be allowed to fall off naturally. At regularly scheduled 30-day and 90-day follow-up appointments, pictures will be taken of the incisional area. These photographs will be reviewed by a blinded, independent surgeon who will grade each incision according to the modified Hollander Cosmesis Scale. Statistical analysis with t-testing of the means and chi-squared testing of dichotomous variables will be performed to determine significance of the findings.
This study will investigate whether the placement of silver impregnated dressings beginning in the OR will improve wound healing in patients undergoing cesarean delivery compared to traditional Telfa pads. This study will also explore the presumed improvement in scar integrity when silver impregnated dressings are used compared to the Telfa pads. The study will compare the percentage of patients who develop a surgical site infection after application of silver impregnated dressings versus standard Telfa dressings. Investigators will also assess the cosmetic appearance and pain of the cesarean section scar at the patient's one week and 6 week post-operative visits.