Scarless Wound Healing: Chasing the Holy Grail. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walmsley, Graham G.; Maan, Zeshaan N.; Wong, Victor W.; Duscher, Dominik; Hu, Michael S.; Zielins, Elizabeth R.; Wearda, Taylor; Muhonen, Ethan; McArdle, Adrian; Tevlin, Ruth; Atashroo, David A.; Senarath-Yapa, Kshemendra; Lorenz, H. Peter; Gurtner, Geoffrey C.; Longaker, Michael T.
• Is Part Of: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Volume 135:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; 617.95205
• DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000000972
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-1052

Abstract

Abstract : Summary: Over 100 million patients acquire scars in the industrialized world each year, primarily as a result of elective operations. Although undefined, the global incidence of scarring is even larger, extending to significant numbers of burn and other trauma-related wounds. Scars have the potential to exert a profound psychological and physical impact on the individual. Beyond aesthetic considerations and potential disfigurement, scarring can result in restriction of movement and reduced quality of life. The formation of a scar following skin injury is a consequence of wound healing occurring through reparative rather than regenerative mechanisms. In this article, the authors review the basic stages of wound healing; differences between adult and fetal wound healing; various mechanical, genetic, and pharmacologic strategies to reduce scarring; and the biology of skin stem/progenitor cells that may hold the key to scarless regeneration.