• Paolo Fioramonti, Emanuele Cigna, Maria G Onesti, Pasquale Fino, Nefer Fallico, and Nicolo Scuderi.
• Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. fioramontipaolo@hotmail.com
• Dermatol Surg. 2012 May 1; 38 (5): 778-82.

BackgroundHypertrophic and contracture scars are common problems after burn injuries and cause functional and cosmetic deformities. A wide variety of treatments has been advocated for postburn pathologic scars regression. Unfortunately, the reported efficacy has been variable.ObjectivesTo investigate the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), which mainly targets the fibroblasts in scar tissue, as an effective modality for scar treatment in burn patients.Materials And MethodsAn experimental study with ESWT was performed in 16 patients with postburn scars contractures, hypertrophic scars, or keloids twice a week for 6 weeks. Digital photographs were obtained and visual analogue scales were completed before and after treatment.ResultsAlready after the first session, scars appeared more pliable, and color mismatch was less evident. At the end of the study period, all treated scars obtained a more acceptable appearance.ConclusionsExtracorporeal shock wave therapy is a feasible and cost-effective treatment in the management of postburn pathologic scars.© 2012 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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