Treatment of post-burn and post-traumatic atrophic scars with fractional CO 2 laser: experience at a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Scars are abnormal wound responses in predisposed individuals. They occur after any kind of wound and skin inflammation in predisposed individuals. Despite their benign nature, they can be aesthetically disabling. Although several approaches have been tried in their management, most of them have produced poor results. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser treatment in the management of post-burn and post-traumatic scars. One hundred consecutive patients (77 females and 23 males) affected by post-burn scars as well as post-traumatic atrophic scars were treated with monthly sessions of fractional CO₂ laser treatment. Patient's response to treatment was assessed clinically as well as improvement of scars by comparing the photographs taken before treatment with those taken 6 months after the last treatment session. Changes in skin texture, surface irregularity and pigmentation were assessed on a quartile grading scale and scored individually from 0 to 4. A mean of the three individual scores was calculated and the response was labelled as 'excellent' if the mean score achieved was > 3. A score of 2–3 was labelled as good response while a score below 1 was labelled as 'poor' response. A mean of six treatments per scar were required and all patients, followed up for 1 year after the last treatment, had optimum results and no recurrence. Response to treatment was excellent in 53.75%, good in 16.25% patients, and poor in 30% patients. Fractional CO₂ laser gives a very good result in the management of patients with post-burn scars as well as post-traumatic scars with minimal adverse effects.

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