Contractubex showed best results in the prevention of pathological scars .
BACKGROUND The treatment and prevention of  hypertrophic scars and keloids  represents a special challenge particularly in plastic surgery .
Given their simple , non-invasive and painless application , topical preparations are an attractive therapeutic option .
On the part of the patients , the efficacy in prevention of and therapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids of these topical preparations is regularly question ed .
The clarification of this issue is subject of this review .
Onion Extract Gel Versus Petrolatum Emollient on New Surgical Scars: a Prospective Double‐Blinded Study
BACKGROUND Cutaneous scars result ing from surgical procedures can be erythematous , hypertrophic , pruritic , painful , or cosmetically unacceptable . An onion extract-based topical gel ( Mederma , Merz Pharmaceuticals ) has been marketed as a product to improve scar appearance and texture . However , few data are available to substantiate these cl aims . OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy between the onion extract gel and a petrolatum-based emollient ( Aquaphor , Beiersdorf , Inc. ) in improving the appearance and symptoms of new surgical scars .  METHODS Twenty-four patients with new surgical wounds at least 4 cm in length were enrolled in the study . Using a r and omized , double-blinded , split-scar study design , each scar was divided into two equal portions , and each half was assigned treatment with either onion extract gel or petrolatum ointment at the time of suture removal . Each product was applied three times daily for 8 weeks , and patients were evaluated at 2 , 8 , and 12 weeks following initiation of treatment . A follow-up phone interview was conducted at least 11 months postoperatively . RESULTS Scar halves were evaluated by blinded investigators for overall cosmetic appearance , erythema , and hypertrophy . Patients also independently rated side-specific erythema , pruritus , burning , and pain . Using the paired t-test and the Wilcoxon sign-rank test , we found no statistically significant difference ( p < .1 ) between the two treatment groups in any of the outcome variables studied . CONCLUSION Petrolatum-based topical agents constitute st and ard therapy in the management of postoperative wounds . In this side-by-side , r and omized , double-blinded , split-scar study , the onion extract gel did not improve scar cosmesis or symptomatology when compared with a petrolatum-based ointment
Contractubex showed best results in the prevention of pathological scars .
BACKGROUND The treatment and prevention of  hypertrophic scars and keloids  represents a special challenge particularly in plastic surgery .
Given their simple , non-invasive and painless application , topical preparations are an attractive therapeutic option .
On the part of the patients , the efficacy in prevention of and therapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids of these topical preparations is regularly question ed .
The clarification of this issue is subject of this review .