Hydrocolloid Dressings After Mohs Surgery Yield No Aesthetic Advantage: Study
Key Takeaways
Scar appearance at 90 days following excisional dermatologic surgery was similar between hydrocolloid dressings (HCD) and petroleum ointment groups treatment groups in a new study.
HCD was associated with more minor complications, but greater patient-reported comfort and convenience.
HCD may be an acceptable alternative treatment following this procedure, with decision-making tailored to patient preferences.
Hydrocolloid dressings (HCDs) and daily petroleum ointment following excisional dermatologic surgery did not perform differently in terms of scar appearance or surgical complications, according to a new trial.
The randomized, investigator-blinded trial included 146 adult patients undergoing standard excision or Mohs micrographic surgery with linear bilayered repair. Patients were assigned either a one-time application of HCD for one week (n = 72) or daily reapplication of petroleum ointment (n = 74). Exclusion criteria included flap or graft use, prior HCD use, topical chemotherapy, adhesive allergy, or surgery at a hair-bearing site. The primary outcome was patient-reported scar appearance on a modified Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with blinded surgeon VAS ratings, surgical complication rates, and patient-reported comfort and convenience as secondary endpoints.
At 90 days, mean differences in scar appearance between groups did not attain statistica significance (VAS difference −0.09; 95% CI, −0.41 to 0.23). Adverse events were more frequent in the HCD group (postoperative bleeding [20.6% vs. 8.8%], wound dehiscence [6.2% vs. 0%], and site pain [21.2% vs. 12.3%]). Patients reported greater satisfaction with HCD in both convenience (86.9% vs. 46.8%) and comfort (73.8% vs. 48.3%).
“These findings suggest that hydrocolloid dressings may serve as a viable postoperative option after dermatologic surgery,” the authors wrote. “Decision-making should consider patient preferences, potential cost differences, and individual risk for complications.”
Source: Bell MC, et al. JAMA Dermatology. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.4051