Effectiveness of Anti-scar Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Children Following Surgical Treatment of Hand Fractures

Introduction . In certain cases, pediatric hand fractures may require surgical intervention, including open reduction, which is associated with an elevated risk of postoperative scar formation. The aim of the study is to substantiate the feasibility of incorporating anti-scar therapy with а gel containing cepalin, heparin, and allantoin into the comprehensive rehabilitation of pediatric patients following surgical treatment of hand fractures. Materials and methods . The prospective non-randomize study included 28 pediatric patients aged 5 to 17 years who underwent open reduction and fixation for hand fractures. The participants were divided into two groups: the main group ( n = 15) received topical scar therapy with а gel containing cepalin, heparin, and allantoin for a period of 6 months, while the control group ( n = 13) underwent standard rehabilitation without any targeted scar treatment. The condition of post-operative scars was assessed using the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Results . In the main group, positive dynamics were observed across all scar characteristics, with statistically significant changes recorded for the “tissue tension” parameter — from (1.20±0.68) points at week 6 of follow-up to (0.53±0.52) points after 6 months ( p = 0.009). Differences between the main and control groups reached statistical significance at the 6-month mark for the parameters “surface relief ” (0.60 vs. 1.00; p = 0.038) and “tissue tension” (0.53 vs. 1.31; p = 0.001). The difference in the total MSS score between the groups also reached statistical significance after 6 months (3.93 vs. 5.62; p = 0.007). Conclusion . The application of а gel containing cepalin, heparin, and allantoin is associated with a reduction in scar-related changes across multiple parameters, thereby supporting its integration into comprehensive rehabilitation protocols for pediatric patients following surgical treatment of hand fractures.