Anatomical variations in pressures generated by pressure garments.

Pressure therapy is the predominant means for prophylaxis and treatment of hypertrophic scar. Despite this, there is little scientific evidence to support its use. This study examines the pressures generated by pressure garments in four subjects at 36 different anatomical sites chosen to represent the varying body geometry. Direct subdermal pressures were measured by an established method, though novel for this application. Pressure garments create a mean increase in subdermal pressures of 22.2 mmHg (range -10 to 102 mmHg). A significant objective difference exists in pressures generated at different anatomical sites. These differences correlate to local tissue compliance and to known areas of good clinical response and inversely correlate to the radius of anatomic curvature. The data suggest that pressures around 15 mmHg are required to effect a positive scar response and that close experienced monitoring of garments be performed.