• Jill Waibel, Adam J Wulkan, Mary Lupo, Kenneth Beer, and R Rox Anderson.
• Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute, Miami, FL 33173, USA. Jwaibelmd@MiamiDermLaser.com
• Lasers Surg Med. 2012 Aug 1; 44 (6): 441-6.

BackgroundScarring is a major source of morbidity in patients with burns. Burn scars are difficult to treat and are among the worst scars seen in clinical medicine. Fractional laser resurfacing is a promising treatment option because of its unique wound healing response and depth of penetration.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of nonablative fractional resurfacing as a therapeutic option for extensive cutaneous scarring in burn patients.MethodsProspective, single-arm, pilot study. Ten subjects with second and third degree burn scars were treated with five nonablative fractional resurfacing treatments given at 4-week intervals. Three independent investigators evaluated subject outcomes at 3 months post-treatment (primary outcome); patients also provided subjective assessments of improvement (secondary outcome).ResultsNonablative fractional resurfacing resulted in overall improvement in 90% of subjects, as determined by independent investigators; improvements were moderate to excellent in 60%. Ninety percent of subjects had improved skin texture, 80% had improved dyschromia, and 80% had improved hypertrophy/atrophy. Patients' self-reports also revealed moderate to excellent improvements (on average) in burn scar area, and significant improvements in self-esteem at 3 months post-treatment (P = 0.03).LimitationsSmall sample size and lack of control group.ConclusionsFractional resurfacing is a promising new treatment modality for burn scars. We should continue to identify novel approaches and management strategies for the spectrum of diverse burn scars so that we can better treat this patient population.Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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