Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment in Burn-related Scarring
Burns Scarring
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Burns Scarring focused on measuring CO2 laser, Ablative fractional laser
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Minimum burn injury scar area of 10x10cm
- Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score of >5
- ≥6 months following injury
- Patient age 18+ years
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current pregnancy or lactation
- Patients unable to consent (dementia or another cognitive dysfunction)
- Non-English-speaking patients
- Scars on the face or hand (these anatomical areas were considered to be of significant aesthetic and functional importance and thus excluded from the trial )
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Treatment
Control
Each treatment half of the scar received three standardised CO2 laser treatments using the DeepFX setting hand piece (Ultrapulse, Lumenis), performed under general anaesthetic at 4-6 week intervals. All treatments consisted of a single pass of 300Hz, 5% density and 50mJ energy with minimal overlapping. Post-operatively all laser treatment and control zones had emollient applied and silicone dressings which were removed at 48 hours. Further emollient was applied twice daily for 2 weeks to all areas of the scar. Standard care scar management (including silicone, massage and pressure garments) was directed by burn occupational therapists and was continued for all areas of scar.
Each control half of the scar received emollient applied twice daily for 2 weeks to all areas of the scar after each treatment. Standard care scar management (including silicone, massage and pressure garments) was directed by burn occupational therapists and was continued for all areas of scar.