Scar outcomes for conservatively managed children post burn injury: A retrospective study.

Hypertrophic scarring is a significant complication post burn injury, especially for delayed healing after 3 weeks. Burn injuries healing prior to 3 weeks also have the potential to develop hypertrophic scarring, even when prescribed prophylactic conservative scar interventions. A retrospective chart audit reviewed 326 burn patients treated at a paediatric tertiary hospital from 2014 to 2019 who sustained a partial thickness burn, healed >14 days and did not receive skin grafting. A scar was deemed hypertrophic if >1 mm in height. Early hypertrophic scar prevalence was defined as 3-6 months post burn, while persistent hypertrophic scarring was defined as 12-18 months post burn. Median days to wound closure was 18. The prevalence of early and persistent hypertrophic scarring was 56.1% and 16.3%, respectively. Seventeen (5.2%) children underwent medical interventions for scar modulation. Early signs of hypertrophic scarring were seen in just over half the patients presenting to burn therapy and despite scar intervention, persistent hypertrophic scarring was seen in 16.3%. At both time points, just over half of the children presenting healed between 14 and 21 days. Therefore, children healing prior to 21 days have potential to develop hypertrophic scarring.

Outcomes of dorsal nasal augmentation using costochondral graft.

Objective: To assess functional and aesthetic outcomes in patients having undergone dorsal nasal augmentation with costochondral graft in a tertiary care setting. METHODS: The single-centre, retrospective, observational study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised data of patients who underwent dorsal nasal augmentation using costochondral graft between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. Aesthetic outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction were assessed using Facial Appearance, Health-related Quality of Life and Adverse Effects scores. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 46 patients, 28(61%) were males and 18(39%) were females. The overall mean age was 28.39±9.13 years. Dorsal nasal deficiency occurred secondary to congenital causes in 12(26.1%) patients, trauma 19(41.3%) and prior surgery 15(32.6%). Postoperative complication rate was 7(15%); 3(6.5%) had recipient site infection and 2(4.3%) had rib graft resorption. Besides, 1(2.2%) patient reported pain 2 months postoperatively and 1(2.2%) had hypertrophic scarring. Patient satisfaction with the outcome was noted in all the 10 parameters analysed. Most commonly reported problem was that the nose was 'looking thick/swollen' by 12(26.1%) patients, but the issue resolved during 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Costochondral graft was found to be an ideal material for dorsal nasal augmentation, with high patient satisfaction rate.

Minimally invasive surgical approach to model hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear.

BACKGROUND: Current strategies for hypertrophic scar prevention and treatment are limited. OBJECTIVE: To facilitate these efforts, a minimally invasive hypertrophic scar model was created in a rabbit ear for the first time based on previous methods used to induce ischemia. METHODS: Six New Zealand white rabbits (12 ears total) were studied. First, ischemia was achieved by ligating the cranial artery, cranial vein and central artery, while preserving the caudal artery, caudal vein and central vein, respectively. The relative level of ischemia induced at time of surgery, both baseline and maximum perfusion, was assessed with a fluorescent light-assisted angiography and demonstrated lower rates of perfusion in the ischemic ears. Following vascular injury, a 2-cm full thickness linear wound was created on the ventral ear and closed with 4 - 0 Nylon sutures under high tension. For each rabbit, one ear received a combination of ischemia and wounding with suture tension (n = 6), while the other ear was non-ischemic with wounding and suture tension alone (n = 6). RESULTS: Four weeks post-operatively, ischemic ears developed scar hypertrophy (histological scar thickness: 1.1 ± 0.2 mm versus 0.5 ± 0.1 mm, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Herein, we describe a novel, prototypical minimally invasive rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scar formation that can allow investigation of new drugs for scar prevention.

The role of circulating metabolites and gut microbiome in hypertrophic scar: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Hypertrophic scarring is a fibro-proliferative disorder caused by abnormal cutaneous wound healing. Circulating metabolites and the gut microbiome may be involved in the formation of these scars, but high-quality evidence of causality is lacking. To assess whether circulating metabolites and the gut microbiome contain genetically predicted modifiable risk factors for hypertrophic scar formation. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed using MR-Egger, inverse-variance weighting (IVW), Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier, maximum likelihood, and weighted median methods. Based on the genome-wide significance level, genetically predicted uridine (P = 0.015, odds ratio [OR] = 1903.514, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.280-846,616.433) and isovalerylcarnitine (P = 0.039, OR = 7.765, 95% CI 1.106-54.512) were positively correlated with hypertrophic scar risk, while N-acetylalanine (P = 0.013, OR = 7.98E-10, 95% CI 5.19E-17-0.012) and glycochenodeoxycholate (P = 0.021, OR = 0.021 95% CI 0.003-0.628) were negatively correlated. Gastranaerophilales and two unknown gut microbe species (P = 0.031, OR = 0.378, 95% CI 0.156-0.914) were associated with an decreased risk of hypertrophic scarring. Circulating metabolites and gut microbiome components may have either positive or negative causal effects on hypertrophic scar formation. The study provides new insights into strategies for diagnosing and limiting hypertrophic scarring.

Preventive Effect of Hydrocolloid Dressings on Hypertrophic Scarring of Post-Cesarean Section Wounds: A Randomized Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prophylactic effect of hydrocolloid dressings on hypertrophic scarring in post-cesarean section wounds. METHODS: Patients who underwent cesarean section (C/S) at the authors' hospital and provided informed consent to participate were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group commenced applying hydrocolloid dressings to the wound on postoperative day 7 or 8 and continued with weekly dressing changes for 6 months. The control group refrained from any dressing application but was followed up. In each group, the condition of the wound was evaluated 6 and 12 months postoperatively using the Japan Scar Workshop Scar Scale 2015, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale version 2.0, the modified Vancouver Scar Scale, and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: During this period, 135 patients underwent C/S at the authors' institution, and 47 (23 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group) were included in the analysis. In all assessment methods, the intervention group scored lower than the control group at 6 and 12 months after C/S. Twelve months after C/S, hypertrophic scarring (Japan Scar Workshop Scar Scale 2015 score of 6-15) was found in 14 of the 47 (29.8%) patients: 11 of 24 (45.8%) in the control group and 3 of 23 (13.0%) in the intervention group. The intervention's relative risk was 0.623 (95% CI, 0.417-0.930). The risk factor for hypertrophic scarring was midline vertical incision, with an odds ratio of 20.53 (95% CI, 4.18-100.92). CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that the application of hydrocolloid dressings to wounds reduces the risk of hypertrophic scarring after C/S.

Update on Hypertrophic Scar Management in Burn Patients.

Hypertrophic scars arise from burn injuries because of persistent inflammation in the reticular dermis. Several risk factors promote this chronic inflammation. One is tension on the burn wound/scar due to surrounding skin tightness and bodily movements. High estrogen levels and hypertension are also important systemic risk factors. Thus, to prevent burn wounds from developing into hypertrophic scars, it is important to focus on quickly resolving the reticular dermal inflammation. If conservative treatments are not effective and the hypertrophic scar transitions to scar contracture, surgical methods such as Z-plasty, full-thickness skin grafting, and local flaps are often used.

The impact of burn injuries on indigenous populations: A literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Ethnic minorities experience disparities in prevention and treatment of burn injury. Research focused on burn injuries in Indigenous populations is limited. This review summarizes literature on burn injuries in Indigenous populations to be considered to inform new research. METHODS: A search was conducted in CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, PSYCinfo and SocINDEX. for "burn OR scars OR scald OR deformity OR disfigurement" and "Aboriginal OR Indigenous OR First Nation OR American Indian OR Maori OR Native OR Torres Strait Islander OR Amerindian OR Inuit OR Metis OR Pacific Islander". Inclusion 1) peer reviewed studies of burns in Indigenous persons 2) in English. Exclusion 1) no data specific to Indigenous burns 2) not peer reviewed 3) not in full text 4) protocol publications. RESULTS: The search identified 1091 studies with 51 for review. Sixteen were excluded. The 35 included publications were published between 1987 and 2022. Findings indicated higher incidence of injury and poorer outcomes amongst Indigenous people. Indigenous people suffered more flame and inhalation burns, had longer lengths of stay, and more complications including hypertrophic scarring. Australian Indigenous patients struggle with a lack of culturally safe communication and support for aftercare. CONCLUSION: Racial disparities exist in burn injury incidence and outcome for Indigenous persons. Qualitative research in this area will help providers better understand the experiences of Indigenous burn patients to develop more culturally competent care. We are currently developing a study using qualitative hermeneutic methodology to learn about the experiences of Indigenous burn survivors' injuries, recovery, and social reintegration.

Application and effect of tension-reducing suture in surgical treatment of hypertrophic scar.

PURPOSE: To investigate the application and effectiveness of tension-reducing suture in the repair of hypertrophic scars. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted on 82 patients with hypertrophic scars treated at the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from September 2021 to December 2022. Patients were operated with combination of heart-shaped tension-reducing suturing technique and looped, broad, and deep buried (LBD) suturing technique or conventional suture method. Outcomes of surgical treatment were assessed before and 6 months after surgery using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). RESULTS: Improvements were achieved on scar quality compared to that preoperatively, with a reduction in scar width (1.7 ± 0.6 cm vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 cm, P < 0.001). Assessment using the POSAS and VSS scales showed significant improvements in each single parameter and total score compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05). The Combination method group achieved better score in total score of VSS scale, in color, stiffness, thickness and overall opinion of PSAS scale, and in vascularity, thickness, pliability and overall opinion of OSAS scale. CONCLUSION: The amalgamation of the heart-shaped tension-reducing suturing technique and the LBD suturing technique has shown promising outcomes, garnering notably high levels of patient satisfaction in the context of hypertrophic scar repair. Patients have exhibited favorable postoperative recoveries, underscoring the clinical merit and the prospective broader applicability of this approach in the realm of hypertrophic scar management.

Effective keloid management using a combinatorial continuous-wave and repeat fractionated ablative CO2 laser regimen.

BACKGROUND: Keloids are benign proliferative scars that form as a result of dysregulated growth and collagen deposition in response to cutaneous injury. Laser therapies have emerged as promising options for the treatment of keloids, with performance varying by laser type and lesion characteristics. PURPOSE: To assess the combined continuous wave and repetitive fractionated CO2 laser treatment of keloids. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 22 cases of keloid scars treated with combined CO2 laser modes. A single session of continuous wave followed by five sessions of fractional delivery. Efficacy was assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale. The Numeric Rating Scale was used to assess patient satisfaction and pain. RESULTS: Most patients were female (77.3%) with skin type IV (72.7%), age was 24.3 ± 9.3 years, most keloids were located on the earlobe (56.5%) or arm or hand (17.4%), size ranged from 5 to 10 cm, and time since injury ranged from 3 months to 35 years. No serious adverse events were reported. At 6 months, significant improvements from baseline occurred in all characteristics, scar color (4.8 ± 2.8 to 1.9 ± 1.1), rigidity (5.0 ± 2.8 vs. 5.4 ± 2.8), thickness (5.4 ± 2.8 vs. 2.0 ± 1.1), and irregularity (5.9 ± 2.4 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9). The Vancouver scores followed a similar trend. Patient-rated overall improvement from 37 ± 17.6 at baseline to 16.1 ± 8.5 at 6 months, and improvement in associated pain and pruritus. CONCLUSION: Combination of two ablative laser delivery modes within a single laser platform provided for effective and safe keloid management and left patients highly satisfied.

Patients with hypertrophic scars following severe burn injury express different long noncoding RNAs.

OBJECTIVE: Research indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute significantly to fibrotic diseases. Although lncRNAs may play a role in hypertrophic scars after burns, its mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS: Using chip technology, we compared the lncRNA expression profiles of burn patients and healthy controls (HCs). Microarray results were examined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to verify their reliability. The biological functions of differentially expressed mRNAs and the relationships between genes and signaling pathways were investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses, respectively. RESULTS: In contrast with HCs, it was found that 2738 lncRNAs (1628 upregulated) and 2166 mRNAs (1395 upregulated) were differentially expressed in hypertrophic scars after burn. Results from RT-PCR were consistent with those from microarray. GO and pathway analyses revealed that the differentially expressed mRNAs are mainly associated with processes related to cytokine secretion in the immune system, notch signaling, and MAPK signaling. CONCLUSION: The lncRNA expression profiles of hypertrophic scars after burn changed significantly compared with HCs. It was believed that the transcripts could be used as potential targets for inhibiting abnormal scar formation in burn patients.

Risk factors for local recurrence of keloids and hypertrophic scars after postoperative electron beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign fibroproliferative lesions that occur as a result of skin injury. Postoperative radiation therapy is used to reduce the recurrence rate because of the high recurrence rate with surgical treatment alone. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for recurrence after postoperative electron beam radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with keloid or hypertrophic scars with at least one lesion and who underwent postoperative electron beam radiotherapy at our institution from June 2013 to March 2022 were included in the study, while patients with a follow-up period of fewer than three months were excluded. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 94 lesions in 81 patients. Exactly two years after the treatment, the actuarial local control rate was 86.4%. The chest wall, shoulder, and suprapubic area were identified as high-risk recurrence sites. Compared to other body sites, these sites had significantly lower local control rates (two-year local control rates: 75.5% vs. 95.2%, P = 0.005). After multivariate analysis, treatment site (P = 0.014), male gender (P = 0.019), and younger age (P = 0.029) were revealed to be statistically significant risk factors for local recurrence. Risk factors for keloid recurrence after postoperative electron beam radiotherapy were therefore identified. CONCLUSION: This result could be used for follow-up and as a determinant for the optimal dose/fractionation of postoperative radiotherapy.

Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scars occur when there is an excessive wound-healing response in the skin. Fractional, or fractionated, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy uses narrow shafts of light to smooth the skin surface and stimulate dermal collagen, which tightens the skin. This case report describes a 57-year-old woman with a traumatic hypertrophic scar of the face treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy. The purpose of this case report was to highlight the role of fractional CO2 laser therapy in treatment of a facial traumatic hypertrophic scar in a patient after a motor vehicle crash. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old female patient presented with a hypertrophic, rigid, post-traumatic scar on the left side of her face following a motor vehicle crash. For the hypertrophic scar removal, the patient underwent 1 treatment session with fractional CO2 laser using the µ-Scan DOT scanning system. After 1 laser treatment session, the photographic documentation, which permits monitoring the treatment's effectiveness in esthetic improvement, showed a significant improvement in scar texture and color. In addition, a significant reduction in scar height was observed following laser therapy. Fractional laser treatment with the device was very well tolerated by the patient, who reported no pain or discomfort, complications, or adverse effects either during treatment or in the follow-up period (3 months). CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates the cosmetic application of fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy in a case of hypertrophic scar with the use of an effective therapeutic protocol that did not require the use of suturing.

Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Pathologic Scars Within a Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to review the spectrum of scarring that may present to an urban, pediatric otolaryngology practice and determine if associations exist between race, scar location, treatment modality, and outcomes following interventions for scarring. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study among 115 pediatric patients with 138 unique keloids or hypertrophic scars (HTS), and 141 children presenting for tonsillectomy at Tufts Medical Center. Age at presentation and sex assigned at birth were collected for both populations. For those presenting for pathologic scars, income quintile, self-identified race/ethnicity, anatomical location, treatment number and type, and clinical outcome were also analyzed. Multivariate analyses calculated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals to assess associations between scar subsite, intervention type, and persistence after treatment. RESULTS: Compared to individuals presenting for tonsillectomy, a disproportionate percentage of patients presenting for scarring identified as Black (26.6% vs. 13.5%) or Asian (17.4% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.016) or were male (61.7% vs. 49.7%, p = 0.053). Individuals identifying as Black or Asian were more likely to present with ear lobe and neck scars, respectively (50.0% vs. 45.5%, p = <0.001). Ear scars were significantly more likely to receive excision at initial treatment (aOR = 5.86 [1.43-23.96]) compared to other subsites, and were more likely to require >1 treatment (aOR = 5.91 [1.53-22.75]). CONCLUSION: Among pediatric patients presenting with keloids or HTS, children who identified as Black or Asian were more likely to present with ear and neck scars, respectively. Ear scars were frequently treated with excision and appear more likely to require adjuvant treatments and multiple interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:3127-3135, 2024.

Clinical efficacy of CO2 fractional laser in treating post-burn hypertrophic scars in children: A meta-analysis: CO2 fractional laser in treating post-burn hypertrophic scars in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and explore the efficacy of CO2 fractional laser in treating post-burn hypertrophic scars in children through Meta-analysis. METHODS: English databases (PubMed, Web of Science and The National Library of Medicine), as well as Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) were searched. RevMan 5.3 software was used to data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 pieces of literature were included, involving 413 children. Meta-analysis showed that: (1) The average Vancouver Scar Scale after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [weight mean difference (WMD) = -3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI):-4.53,-2.58, p < 0.001]; (2) After CO2 fractional laser, pigmentation [WMD = -0.74, 95% CI:-1.10,-0.38, p < 0.001], pliability [WMD = -0.92, 95% CI:-1.20,-0.65, p < 0.001], vascularity [WMD = -0.77, 95% CI:-1.09,-0.46, p < 0.001], height [WMD = -0.57, 95% CI:-0.95,-0.19, p < 0.001] were improved compared with those before surgery. (3) The average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [WMD = -3.94, 95% CI:-5.69,-2.22, p < 0.001]. (4) Both Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)-Observer [WMD = -3.98, 95% CI:-8.44,0.47, p < 0.001] and POSAS-Patient [WMD = -4.98, 95% CI:-8.09,-1.87, p < 0.001] were significantly lower than those before surgery. (5) Erythema and vesicles were the most common complications after CO2 fractional laser therapy, with an incidence of 4.09%. CONCLUSION: CO2 fractional laser is beneficial to the recovery of hypertrophic scar after burn in children, and can effectively improve the scar symptoms and signs in children, with desirable clinical efficacy.

Cold atmospheric plasma is bactericidal to wound-relevant pathogens and is compatible with burn wound healing.

Burn wound healing can be significantly delayed by infection leading to increased morbidity and hypertrophic scarring. An optimal antimicrobial agent would have the ability to kill bacteria without negatively affecting the host skin cells that are required for healing. Currently available products provide antimicrobial coverage, but may also cause reductions in cell proliferation and migration. Cold atmospheric plasma is a partially ionized gas that can be produced under atmospheric pressure at room temperature. In this study a novel handheld Aceso Plasma Generator was used to produce and test Aceso Cold Plasma (ACP) in vitro and in vivo. ACP showed a potent ability to eliminate bacterial load in vitro for a number of different species. Deep partial-thickness and full-thickness wounds that were treated with ACP after burning, after excision, after autografting, and at days 5, 7, and 9 did not show any negative effects on their wound healing trajectories. On par with in vitro analysis, bioburden was decreased in treated wounds vs. control. In addition, metrics of hypertrophic scar such as dyschromia, elasticity, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and epidermal and dermal thickness were the same between the two treatment groups.It is likely that ACP can be used to mitigate the risk of bacterial infection during the phase of acute burn injury while patients await surgery for definitive closure. It may also be useful in treating wounds with delayed re-epithelialization that are at risk for infection and hypertrophic scarring. A handheld cold plasma device will be useful in treating all manner of wounds and surgical sites in order to decrease bacterial burden in an efficient and highly effective manner without compromising wound healing.

Treatment of hypopigmented burn hypertrophic scars with short-term topical tacrolimus does not lead to repigmentation.

OBJECTIVES: Dyschromia is an understudied aspect of hypertrophic scar (HTS). The use of topical tacrolimus has successfully shown repigmentation in vitiligo patients through promotion of melanogenesis and melanocyte proliferation. It was hypothesized that HTSs treated with topical tacrolimus would have increased repigmentation compared to controls. METHODOLOGY: Full-thickness burns in red Duroc pigs were either treated with excision and meshed split-thickness skin grafting or excision and no grafting, and these wounds formed hypopigmented HTSs (n = 8). Half of the scars had 0.1% tacrolimus ointment applied to the scar twice a day for 21 days, while controls had no treatment. Further, each scar was bisected with half incurring fractional ablative CO2 laser treatment before topical tacrolimus application to induce laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD). Pigmentation was evaluated using a noninvasive probe to measure melanin index (MI) at Days 0 (pretreatment), 7, 14, and 21. At each timepoint, punch biopsies were obtained and fixed in formalin or were incubated in dispase. The formalin-fixed biopsies were used to evaluate melanin levels by H&E staining. The biopsies incubated in dispase were used to obtain epidermal sheets. The ESs were then flash frozen and RNA was isolated from them and used in quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for melanogenesis-related genes: Tyrosinase (TYR), TYR-related protein-1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). Analysis of variance test with Sídák's multiple comparisons test was used to compare groups. RESULTS: Over time, within the grafted HTS and the NS group, there were no significant changes in MI, except for Week 3 in the -Tacro group. (+Tacro HTS= pre = 685.1 ± 42.0, w1 = 741.0 ± 54.16, w2 = 750.8 ± 59.0, w3 = 760.9 ± 49.8) (-Tacro HTS= pre = 700.4 ± 54.3, w1 = 722.3 ± 50.7, w2 = 739.6 ± 53.2, w3 = 722.7 ± 50.5). Over time, within the ungrafted HTS and the NS group, there were no significant changes in MI. (+Tacro HTS= pre = 644.9 ± 6.9, w1 = 661.6 ± 3.3, w2 = 650.3 ± 6.2, w3 = 636.3 ± 7.4) (-Tacro HTS= pre = 696.8 ± 8.0, w1 = 695.8 ± 12.3, w2 = 678.9 ± 14.0, w3 = 731.2 ± 50.3). LADD did not lead to any differential change in pigmentation compared to the non-LADD group. There was no evidence of increased melanogenesis within the tissue punch biopsies at any timepoint. There were no changes in TYR, TYRP1, or DCT gene expression after treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypopigmented HTSs treated with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment with or without LADD did not show significantly increased repigmentation. This study was limited by a shorter treatment interval than what is known to be required in vitiligo patients for repigmentation. The use of noninvasive, topical treatments to promote repigmentation are an appealing strategy to relieve morbidity associated with dyschromic burn scars and requires further investigation.

Microneedling in the Treatment of Post-burn Hypertrophic Scars.

INTRODUCTION: Post-burn hypertrophic scars are an important cause of physical discomfort, limitation of movements, psychological disorders, low self-esteem and reduced quality of life. Treatment for this condition is complex and involves several options. Microneedling, also known as minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction, is an affordable minimally invasive option that can be combined with other treatments, including ablative ones. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to present our microneedling approach for the treatment of hypertrophic scars after burns. METHOD: A prospective study of 15 patients with post-burn hypertrophic scars was conducted between October 2016 and June 2022. All patients were treated with microneedling and drug delivery of triamcinolone. Scars were evaluated using Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Burn Scar Assessment Scale (BSAS) and angle measurement for amplitude of movement evaluation of joints. RESULTS: A significant improvement in the VSS score was obtained after microneedling (8.8 ± 0.44 to 4.1 ± 0.98; p = 0.012), especially in the acute group (less than 1 year after burns): 9.3 ± 0.49 to 3.5 ± 1.36; p = 0.041. There was a significant and progressive improvement of the scars throughout the treatment sessions in all criteria evaluated and in the ranges of joint movement (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Our microneedling protocol promoted a significant improvement of post-burn scars, especially in acute hypertrophic scars, and in the amplitude of joint motion. Sequential treatments provided progressive improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Association of Cutaneous Keloids, Hypertrophic Scarring, and Fibrosis with Risk of Postoperative Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess an association between cutaneous keloids, hypertrophic scarring, and fibrosis (KHF) and risk of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent initial retinal detachment (RD) repair with pars plana vitrectomy with or without scleral buckle (SB) (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 67108), pneumatic retinopexy (67110), and primary SB (67107) from January 1, 2003, to March 1, 2023. METHODS: A de-identified electronic health record database through TriNetX, a global health research network, was used to analyze patients. Patients were queried for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes L91.0 (hypertrophic scar) and L90.5 (scar conditions and fibrosis of skin). Frequency of subsequent diagnosis of PVR (H35.2) and CPT codes for secondary surgery including complex RD repair (67113) were determined. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (ICD-10 H10.35/H11.35) were excluded. Descriptive statistics (Z-test) and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to match for age, sex, and race. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of H35.2 and CPT 67113 within 180 days after RRD repair in the KHF cohort versus the non-KHF cohort. RESULTS: Among patients with CPT 67108, 1061 in each cohort (KHF and non-KHF) were analyzed after PSM. The mean (standard deviation) age was 60.7 (15.2) years. Within 180 days, 10.1% of patients in the KHF cohort and 3.4% in the non-KHF cohort had a diagnosis of PVR (H35.2) (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-4.71). A total of 8.3% of patients in the KHF cohort and 5.4% of patients in the non-KHF cohort underwent complex RD repair (CPT 67113) (P = 0.008; OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.13-2.25). When including all RD repair types (CPT 67108, 67110, 67107), the rate of PVR diagnosis was still significantly greater in the KHF cohort than in the non-KHF cohort (9.0% vs 4.2%, P < 0.01; OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.64-3.16). CONCLUSIONS: A dermatologic history of KHF may be a risk factor for PVR after RD repair. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.