ABSTRACT
According to some studies, fetal wound in contrast with adult wound heals without scar formation which is probably due to amniotic fluid around the fetus, unique extracellular matrix and the fetal immature immunity. It is supposed that biochemical and physical characteristics of amniotic fluid prepares the conditions for wound healing without scar formation. The goal of this study was to compare the scar diameter of uncomplicated appendectomy by Rocky-Davis incision with scar diameter of cesarean section by Pfanneistiel incision in order to evaluate the effect of amniotic fluid on scar diameter. In this analytic within-patient study all women with uncomplicated appendectomy by Rocky-Davis incision who were pregnant or had history of cesarean in the last 18 months were included [2007-2009]. After 18 months of operation [appendectomy and cesarean], scar diameters were measured in three points [first, middle and end of scar] and the mean was calculated. Then the mean scar diameter of appendectomy was compared with the mean scar diameter of cesarean in each patient. For data analysis we used T-test, Paired T-test, correlation coefficient and regression tests. In this study the effect of weight and height on scar diameter was evaluated. Mean scar diameter of appendectomy was 2.09 +/- 0.677 millimeter and the mean scar diameter of cesarean was 0.467 +/- 0.633 millimeter which was significantly less than appendectomy scar diameter [p=0.008]. It seems that the presence of amniotic fluid in the first hours of healing decreases the future scar diameter