Preoperative Silicone Ointment and Wound Healing

Optimal scar healing is of great importance to patients, especially following surgery of the head and neck. This study evaluates the effectiveness of preoperative silicone ointment in wound healing in head and neck surgeries.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Scheduled to undergo non-emergent surgery of the head and/or neck for a benign (non-cancerous) condition
• Able to comply with all study procedures for the duration of the study
• Provision of signed and dated informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current use of products intended to improve scar healing (silicone or otherwise); skincare products not specifically marketed for scar healing are acceptable
• Known allergic reactions to components of the silicone ointment
• Dermatologic conditions that disrupt the integrity of the skin, e.g. severe acne, psoriasis
• Need for tracheostomy postoperatively
• Have any form of active malignancy at the time of surgery
• Have a history of radiation involving the surgical site
• Current use of chronic steroids or other immunosuppressive medications
• Lack of decision-making capacity
• Not fluent in English