Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Atrophic scars are commonly faced. The common feature of these scars is their bottom, which is
located below the level of the surrounding tissue. Scar revision can be a complex process that
requires a careful assessment, technical expertise, recognition of the psychosocial issues if
a satisfactory outcome is to be achieved.
OBJECTIVE:
The application of the dermal tube technique was first used by Mallucci et al. for the treatment of
atrophic tethered scars.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Between January 2017 to April 2018, 16 patients presented to us with atrophic tethered scars. Their
ages ranged between (4 -40) years and they included seven females and nine males. The locations of
the scars were in the face; (5) patients, in the neck; (2) patients, in the forearm; (3) patients, in
the arm; (1) patient, in the back; (1) patient, in the abdomen; (2) patients, in the buttocks;
(1) patient, and in the leg; (1) patient. The average history of scar was one and a half year. All scars
were treated surgically using dermal tube technique.
RESULTS:
Sixteen patients with tethered atrophic scars at different sites and due to different etiologies were
treated surgically with scar revision by the dermal tube technique. Patients results were evaluated
subjectively by the visual analogue scale for the post-surgical results. The average value of
the visual analogue scale was 7.8 with excellent improvement of the contour of the atrophic scar,
and a near normal skin texture with no recurrence of the deformity during the follow up period.
Three of our sixteen patients were unsatisfied with their results.
CONCLUSION:
dermal tube technique is an effective method to correct tethered atrophic scars. It is a simple and
single stage operation can be performed under local anesthesia ,with good results regarding scar
appearance and minimal recurrence of the deformity