Evaluation of the effect of topical steroids on human scar contracture using a nude mouse model.

Adult nude mice had 1.5 to 1.0 meshed split-thickness human skin applied to an excised area of their back. The animals were then randomized into two groups, one of which had a steroid cream applied to their graft on alternate days. The other group had no ointment applied and served as a control. The wounds were measured on a weekly basis and the rate of wound contracture was found to be identical. Topical steroids would thus appear to offer no benefit in the prevention of scar contracture.