A prospective, double blind, randomized controlled human clinical trial will be conducted by enrolling patients referred for laser treatment from the USAISR burn clinic. Laser candidates will be asked to participate who have an area of extremity or truncal scar measuring approximately 6cmX6cm total, in one contiguous region. The study sites, will consist of four equally sized treatment areas (3cm x 3cm), will be randomized to be treated with PDL, CO2, a combination of CO2+PDL, and an untreated control for 6 treatments. The areas will be photographed prior to each treatment and at the final visit 4-6 months after the last treatment. Color, pliability and thickness will be measured using a colorimeter, cutometer and high frequency ultrasound respectively at each appointment. Additionally, the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) will be used to score the quality of the scar, using two trained, blinded observers. The patients will also be asked on a voluntary basis for a pre-trial and post-trial 3mm punch biopsy to evaluate for the presence of histological changes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
25
Pulse Dye laser treatment will be applied to one randomized area with the 10mm hand piece, duration of 0.45ms, and fluence of 5.25J/s.
CO2 laser treatment will be applied to one randomized area with the deep Fx hand piece, 300Hz, 15mJ, 15% density.
Pulse Dye laser and CO2 treatment will be applied to one randomized area. Pulse Dye will be applied with the 10mm hand piece, duration of 0.45ms, and fluence of 5.25J/s followed by the CO2 laser treatment with the deep Fx hand piece, 300Hz, 15mJ, 15% density.
One area will be randomized to receive no laser treatment.
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States
Effectiveness of laser treatments
Using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), evaluate the effectiveness of Pulse Dye Laser (PDL) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser treatment on symptoms related to Hypertrophic Burn Scar (HBS)
Time frame: 4-6 weeks post treatment
Improvement of symptoms
To longitudinally compare the change in symptoms by treatment modality between treatment sessions by assessment with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) measured for each patient and two observers (to increase score reliability) at each follow-up visit.
Time frame: 4-6 weeks post treatment
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