Safety assessment of the prophylactic use of silicone gel sheets (Lady Care®) for the prevention of hypertrophic scars following caesarean section.

This study aimed to investigate the side effects of silicone gel sheet (Lady Care®) and evaluate its prophylactic efficacy in preventing abnormal scarring. Sixty women who underwent caesarean section were recruited from September 2016 to September 2017 in this prospective study. Lady Care® was applied from the 2nd to the 6th postoperative months. Side effects of Lady Care® were evaluated through medical examinations and questionnaires. A plastic surgeon diagnosed abnormal scarring. Pruritus was diagnosed in 25 (47.2%) patients; folliculitis, four (7.5%); dry skin, four (7.5%); contact dermatitis, three (5.7%); wound infection, two (3.8%); and epidermolysis, one (1.9%), albeit with mild severity. Following Lady Care® application, no abnormal scarring and mild hypertrophic scarring was observed in 32 (64.0%) and 18 (36.0%) patients respectively. Of seven patients with pre-existing hypertrophic scars, only two showed hypertrophic scarring after Lady Care® application. Our findings support the safety and prophylactic efficacy of Lady Care®.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The incidence of abnormal scarring, i.e. keloid or hypertrophic scar formation after caesarean section (CS) is reported to be ∼41%. Abnormal or excessive scar formation can lead to functional limitations, pruritus, pain and cosmetic issues. Studies have also shown a prophylactic effect of the application of silicone materials against the development of hypertrophic and keloid scars, though prohibitive cost and lack of adhesiveness of such gel sheets are known factors limiting their usage.What the results of this study add? The new silicone gel sheet 'Lady Care®' has strong adhesive properties and is consequently not easily peeled off. Furthermore, it is easy to use and economically efficient.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This is the first clinical trial on the application of Lady Care® silicone gel sheet for the prevention of CS scarring. Our findings support the safety and prophylactic efficacy of Lady Care®.

Pemphigoid gestationis after spontaneous expulsion of a massive complete hydatidiform mole.

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare, perinatal, autoimmune, and blistering dermatosis. Only few cases of PG involving hydatidiform moles have been reported. Complete hydatidiform moles are usually evacuated by dilatation and curettage. We report a patient with a massive complete hydatidiform mole that underwent spontaneous expulsion; she subsequently developed PG. A 19-year-old unmarried nulligravid woman was referred to our hospital following excessive vaginal bleeding after an uncertain amenorrheal period. The patient presented with preshock vital signs, severe anemia, and a positive urine pregnancy test. Imaging examinations revealed a massive intrauterine mass (19 × 15 × 10 cm), suggesting a complete hydatidiform mole. She was hospitalized and treated with blood transfusion. Sixteen hours after hospitalization, the massive molar mass underwent spontaneous expulsion and bleeding ceased. Three days after the expulsion, she developed pruritic skin lesions including papules, erythemas, and bullae, which spread over her entire body. Skin biopsy revealed PG and subepidermal blister formation and linear complement C3 deposition along the basement membrane zone, and the serum anti-BP180 antibody level was found to be high on measurement. She was effectively treated with 50 mg/day of oral prednisolone. Her skin lesions disappeared, leaving pigmentation.