The Role of Biomechanical Forces in the Formation and Treatment of Pathological Scars.
Guangtong Cao, Mingmin Ye, Haiyan Wang...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39559183/Actively Recruiting
Led by University of California, San Francisco · Updated on 2026-06-04
78
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Researchers are evaluating the use of Brijjit4 Force-Modulating Tissue Bridge devices to reduce the occurrence of hypertrophic scars in individuals undergoing gender-affirming bilateral double incision mastectomies. This randomized, self-controlled trial compares one side of the chest treated with Brijjit4 to the other side receiving standard wound care, aiming to improve scar appearance and quality. The study also assesses patient perceptions of their scars using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale POSAS. Participants will have Brijjit4 applied during surgery across the entire incision length on one chest side, randomly assigned. The device typically lasts 2-4 weeks and will be replaced if it falls off before 6 weeks post-operation, with patients taught how to reapply it at home. The treated side receives this intervention until 6 weeks post-op, while the control side receives standard wound dressing and care. After 6 weeks, all Brijjit4 devices are removed, and participants can begin recommended scar care on both sides. During the study, participants will attend follow-up visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-operation for scar assessments. Researchers will evaluate scar presence, characteristics, and dimensions at these intervals, along with patient-reported scar perception. The study involves monitoring scar development and wound healing progress over time to understand the effects of Brijjit4 compared to standard care.
CONDITIONS
Evaluating the Efficacy of Force Modulating Tissue Bridge Device in Preventing Hypertrophic Scars Following Gender-Affirming Mastectomy
N
Nathan S Ramrakhiani, BS
L
Lindsay A Tao, BS
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | Brijjit Device Side | Standard Care Side |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A non-invasive, flexible device (Brijjit BP100-6 or BP-75) that acts as a force modulating tissue bridge to help modulate tension across the incision after mastectomy. | Routine wound care using standard dressings as typically used after surgery. |
| Role in the trial | Applied to one side of a participant's chest incision to test whether it reduces risk or severity of hypertrophic scarring after gender-affirming mastectomy. | Serves as the control side using normal wound care to compare scar outcomes with those from the Brijjit device. |
| Primary use or purpose | Designed to reduce tension at the incision site after surgery, with the goal of preventing or minimizing hypertrophic scarring. | Protects the surgical wound and promotes general wound healing according to usual practice; does not specifically modulate mechanical tension. |
| How it is given or performed | The flexible Brijjit device is adhered externally over one side of the chest incision after surgery and remains in place for the healing period. | Standard dressings are applied to the opposite incision side as per routine wound care. |
| Evidence status | Effectiveness for scar prevention is currently under investigation in clinical study; prior evidence suggests mechanomodulation can impact scar outcomes in similar surgical settings. | Accepted as typical wound management after surgery but does not specifically reduce risk of hypertrophic scarring; pathological scars still occur with standard care. |
| Important limitations | Long-term benefits and risks of Brijjit device use in gender-affirming mastectomy are not yet established; differences in scar formation may depend on individual healing factors. Current evidence is limited to short- and medium-term studies, and Brijjit-specific outcomes are not yet published. | Provides no specific method to prevent pathological or hypertrophic scar formation; outcomes vary by individual healing, and hypertrophic scarring remains a concern after routine wound care. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Initial period up to 2 weeks post-operation
Participants undergo gender-affirming double incision mastectomy with application of the Brijjit® Force-Modulating Tissue Bridge device to one side of the chest and standard wound dressing on the other side. They remain in a chest vest binder with dressings until the initial follow-up.
1 surgical visit and 1 follow-up visit at 2 weeks
Duration - Up to 6 weeks post-operation
Participants continue Brijjit® therapy on the intervention side, reapplying the device if it falls off, until 6 weeks post-operation. The control side receives standard wound dressing throughout this period.
Follow-up visits at 2 weeks and 6 weeks post-operation
Duration - 6 weeks to 1 year post-operation
Participants undergo scar assessment visits to evaluate hypertrophic scarring and scar characteristics up to 1 year after surgery.
Visits at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-operation
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
1
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Guangtong Cao, Mingmin Ye, Haiyan Wang...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39559183/Jasmine Panton, Nicole Vingan, Jennifer Barillas...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606245/University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor