Observation on the efficacy of 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser combined with compound betamethasone topical application on the treatment of early scar in Chinese patients

Fractional 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond lasers for the treatment of traumatic scars: a retrospective study

Traumatic scars negatively impact the patient's quality of life. Fractional 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser improves scars. However, the effect varies among individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of traumatic scars with fractional 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond lasers and the factors associated with its prognostication. We conducted a retrospective study with 161 patients with traumatic scars. All scars were treated using fractional 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond lasers. Efficacy was determined based on blinded visual evaluation using the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) and 5-point Global Assessment Scale (GAS). The mean MSS values before and after treatments was 17.4 ± 2.7 and 13.6 ± 2.6 (P < 0.001), respectively. Color, radiance, contour, and distortion of the traumatic scars improved. (all P < 0.001). The course, location, and height of the scars, and the number of treatments and energy densities, were related to treatment responses (P < 0.05). Fractional 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser is effective for treating traumatic scars. Clinicians can predict the prognosis using multiple factors.

Betamethasone transdermal administration combined with fractional Er:YAG lasers or microplasma radiofrequency technology improved hypertrophic scars: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study aims to compare the efficacy rates in treating hypertrophic scars among four distinct groups of patients who either underwent fractional Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser or microplasma radiofrequency technology as standalone treatments or in combination with compound betamethasone transdermal administration.

METHOD

The study retrospectively examined 208 patients treated at our institution from April 2011 to December 2022 for hypertrophic scars, receiving no less than three treatments (with an interval of 8 weeks between each). The patients were categorized into four groups: the F group (treated with fractional Er:YAG laser), the F + B group (treated with fractional Er:YAG laser combined with compound betamethasone transdermal administration), the P group (treated with microplasma radiofrequency technology), and the P + B group (treated with microplasma radiofrequency technology combined with compound betamethasone transdermal administration). The therapeutic effects were evaluated based on the changes in the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores before and after treatment in these groups.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the VSS scores among the four groups before treatment. After undergoing three sessions of the aforementioned four types of treatment, all groups showed a decrease in VSS scores, with average posttreatment VSS scores for the F group scored 5.15 ± 2.084, F + B group scored 3.7 ± 1.781, P group scored 4.41 ± 1.933, and P + B group scored 3.16 ± 1.775, respectively. With an increasing number of treatments, the total effective rate gradually increased in all four groups, and the combination treatment using compound betamethasone transdermal administration proved more effective than the standalone treatment.

CONCLUSION

All four treatments yielded favorable outcomes, with the combined therapy involving compound betamethasone transdermal administration proving more effective than the standalone treatments, meriting further clinical attention.

The Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Between General and Topical Anesthesia on Micro-Plasma Radiofrequency Treatment for Hypertrophic Scar: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

While micro-plasma radiofrequency (MPR) treatment has a significant impact on hypertrophic scars, patients often require anesthesia to alleviate substantial discomfort. Currently, patients with similar degrees of scarring may choose surface anesthesia or general anesthesia based on their personal preferences. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and safety of different anesthesia modalities remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of both general and surface anesthesia in MPR treatment for hypertrophic scars.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 101 patients diagnosed with hypertrophic scars who underwent MPR with different anesthesia methods. The primary measures of efficacy included the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores assessed before the first treatment and six months after the final treatment. Pain relief was evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Safety was assessed by comparing the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients in the general anesthesia group showed a significant difference in scar pigmentation 6 months after the treatment and lower pain level than those in the surface anesthesia group in the treatment of MPR. The difference in safety was not statistically significant. After adjusting for confounding factors and propensity score matching, the outcome of VSS and VAS scores was stable.

CONCLUSION

General anesthesia, as opposed to surface anesthesia, appears to enhance both the effectiveness and safety of MPR while reducing postoperative pain in the treatment of hypertrophic scars. For patients with heightened pain sensitivity, general anesthesia may be the preferred treatment option.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Advances in Photoelectric Therapy for the Early Intervention and Treatment of Traumatic Scars

Traumatic scar is a disease that affected approximately tens of millions of patients worldwide. According to the histological and morphological properties of scars, the traumatic scar typically includes superficial scar, atrophic scar, hypertrophic scar, and keloid. Its formation is a natural consequence of wound healing, regardless of whether the wound was caused by trauma or surgery. However, the production of scars has considerable impacts on the physical and mental health of patients, even causing substantial aesthetic and functional impairments. Prevention or early treatment of scars is the most suitable therapeutic method, including surgical and non-surgical procedures; nevertheless, the benefits of non-operative therapies for scars are quite limited, and surgical treatments are always hard to achieve satisfying outcomes. Through the application of innovative technologies such as lasers, intense pulsed light, and radiofrequency, significant progress has been made in the treatment of traumatic scars. This review highlights the current advancements of photoelectric therapy for the prevention and treatment of various traumatic scars, which may throw light on innovative therapeutic options for scar therapies.