Charles Nduka begins new trial of Insulin to Treat Scars

Scars can be very distressing, especially after accidents. After an operation they may be the last reminder of the illness. In most cases scars heal as a pale fine line, but abnormal scars, called hypertrophic scars are red, raised and may be itchy. A keloid scar is a scar that continues to grow and can be very unsightly and impact on the patient's quality of life.

Reducing the impact of a scar is the goal of every plastic surgeon and a way to reduce the size or symptoms scars is a holy grail.

Preliminary research has indicated that insulin (a hormone found naturally in the body, which can be synthesised to treat diabetes) injected at the time of surgery may reduce scar formation.

A randomised trial of eligible patients having bilateral breast surgery at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and the McIndoe Surgical Centre will investigate whether this effect will be useful for future patients. Ethical committee approval has been granted to recruit 75 women who are due to have plastic surgery. Patients who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast uplift may be eligible if they require further surgery, or the scar needs revision. If successful, in future the trial may help patients with scars following surgery such as mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

The trial will run for 2 years and results will be available in 2013.