A Review of the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars: Part I Clinical Aspects

Abstract

The therapeutic management of hypertrophic scars remains challenging. Numerous methods have been described for the treatment of hypertrophic scars but, to date, the optimal treatment method has not been established. The aim of this review is to discuss the therapeutic modalities in the light of current literature, and to guide regarding the choice of treatment methods for physicians. The surgical and non-surgical treatment and prevention methods of the hypertrophic scars were reviewed and some recommendations for physicians who try to treat or prevent the hypertrophic scar were developed under cover of current literature and our personal experiences. A lot of therapeutic modalities have been described for the hypertrophic scars so far, but there is no absolute curative method alone. The most appropriate method or methods should be selected according to the patient' s needs and properties of the scar. The therapists can benefit from our review when they select the most appropriate method or methods for treatment of hypertrophic scars.