Clinical trial NCT02886988: Early Postoperative Prevention and Treatment of Median Sternotomy Scars With Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection
Official title: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Prospective Clinical Trial of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Prevention of Hypertrophic Scar Development in Median Sternotomy Wound
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE2
PHASE3
Conditions: Scar
Keywords: Botulinum toxin type A, scar
Lead sponsor: Xijing Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-09-01
Enrollment: 17
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 70
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: Linear hypertrophic scar is a common surgical problem that can be difficult to manage, especially for the median sternotomy scar. Despite high demand for the early intervention to prevent and treat surgical scars, there is yet no universal consensus on satisfactory treatment. Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that has been widely and safely used in medicine for more than 30 years. It induces chemodenervation through acting on the presynaptic neuron to prevent release of acetylcholine, which leads to functional denervation of striated muscle for about 6 months after injection. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Botulinum toxin type A as a prophylactic treatment in the early postoperative of median sternotomy for the purpose of preventing excess scar formation.

Detailed description: The goal of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial about using Botulinum toxin type A ( BTA) to prevent hypertrophic scar in median sternotomy wound. The entire median sternotomy wound was divided into the upper half and the lower half. Both halves of the wound were randomized to receive treatment with either BTA or 0.9% normal saline. The patient and the surgeon will be blinded to the treatment arm. The primary end point was the evaluation of upper and lower half scar using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). At 6 months follow-up, two blinded dermatologists examined the patients and took photographs of the scar in the outpatient clinic of XiJing Hospital. Scars were assessed using the VSS and assigned the mean score of the two observers. At 6-month follow-up, ultrasonography to measure the scar width will be performed. At the same time, patients were asked to evaluate their overall satisfaction, using a four-point grading scale for each half the scar(1= very satisfied, 2= satisfied,3= slightly satisfied, 4= unsatisfied ).Paired t-test was used to compare the VSS scores, scar width and the overall satisfaction between the BTA-treated group and normal saline group.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients included are older than 18 years with a median sternotomy less than 14 days.
* Patients are willing and able to participate in the study as an outpatient, making several visits to the study center during the treatment and follow-up periods.
* Patients can comply with all study requirements including concomitant medication and other treatment restrictions.
* Patients have good wound healing condition, without infection sign.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The exclusion criteria applied is current pregnancy or breast feeding, allergy to botulinum toxin type A, previous injection of botulinum toxin within 6 months prior to enrollment, Myasthenia gravis or other neuromuscular disorder,and refusal to participate in this trial.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Vancouver scar scale
timeFrame: 6 months after Botulinum toxin type A injection
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Scar width
timeFrame: 6 months after Botulinum toxin type A injection
measure: Patient satisfaction
timeFrame: 6 months after Botulinum toxin type A injection
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Xi'an
country: China
facility: Xijing Hospital
state: Shaanxi
Study officials:
affiliation: Xijing Hospital
name: Song-Tao Xie
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Ozog DM, Moy RL. Discussing Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and Other Physical Treatments for Scar Prevention With Patients. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Aug;151(8):815-6. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.0594. No abstract available.
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citation: Zhang DZ, Liu XY, Xiao WL, Xu YX. Botulinum Toxin Type A and the Prevention of Hypertrophic Scars on the Maxillofacial Area and Neck: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS One. 2016 Mar 17;11(3):e0151627. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151627. eCollection 2016.
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citation: Prodromidou A, Frountzas M, Vlachos DE, Vlachos GD, Bakoyiannis I, Perrea D, Pergialiotis V. Botulinum toxin for the prevention and healing of wound scars: A systematic review of the literature. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Winter;23(4):260-4. doi: 10.4172/plastic-surgery.1000934.
citation: Jeong HS, Lee BH, Sung HM, Park SY, Ahn DK, Jung MS, Suh IS. Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Differentiation of Fibroblasts Derived from Scar Tissue. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Aug;136(2):171e-178e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001438.
citation: Chen M, Yan T, Ma K, Lai L, Liu C, Liang L, Fu X. Botulinum Toxin Type A Inhibits alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin and Myosin II Expression in Fibroblasts Derived From Scar Contracture. Ann Plast Surg. 2016 Sep;77(3):e46-9. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000268.