Fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser treatment of facial scars: Improvement of patients' quality of life, scar quality, and cosmesis.
cosmesis
fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser
patient-reported outcomes
quality of life
Journal
Journal of cosmetic dermatology
ISSN: 1473-2165
Titre abrégé: J Cosmet Dermatol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101130964
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jul 2021
Jul 2021
Historique:
revised:
27
10
2020
received:
27
09
2020
accepted:
12
11
2020
pubmed:
19
11
2020
medline:
23
6
2021
entrez:
18
11
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Disfiguring facial scars can be a massive burden on patients' psychosocial health and severely impact patients' self-esteem. The aim of this study was to analyze whether ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser (CO2-AFL) treatment can positively influence facial scarring and quality of life (QoL) while improving the aesthetic appearance. Patients with facial scars who had received CO2-AFL treatment between May 2019 and May 2020 were included in a retrospective study. The post-interventional course and patient and/or observer reported outcomes were inquired before and three months after treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in the Patient and Observer Scar Scale (POSAS) and QoL (Short Form (SF) 36). In addition, two independent examiners evaluated the aesthetic outcome by comparing initial scarring with the post-intervention results using photographs. A total of 16 patients with facial scars were included. Most of the scars were caused by burns (43.8%) or trauma (31.3%). The post-interventional course was uneventful. Overall POSAS scores improved decisively for both observers (n=2) and patients (n=16) (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Also, there was an improvement in QoL with an increase in emotional well-being (p=0.043) and social functioning (p=0.01). Furthermore, the aesthetic outcome was significantly enhanced (p=0.001) after treatment. The CO2-AFL offers a safe and effective treatment for disfiguring facial scars. We have shown that improvement of scar appearance and scar quality was meaningful to the patient, with a significant impact on a patient's life quality. Based on these findings we suggest including the CO2-AFL in the facial scar treatment concept.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Disfiguring facial scars can be a massive burden on patients' psychosocial health and severely impact patients' self-esteem.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze whether ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser (CO2-AFL) treatment can positively influence facial scarring and quality of life (QoL) while improving the aesthetic appearance.
PATIENTES/METHODS
UNASSIGNED
Patients with facial scars who had received CO2-AFL treatment between May 2019 and May 2020 were included in a retrospective study. The post-interventional course and patient and/or observer reported outcomes were inquired before and three months after treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in the Patient and Observer Scar Scale (POSAS) and QoL (Short Form (SF) 36). In addition, two independent examiners evaluated the aesthetic outcome by comparing initial scarring with the post-intervention results using photographs.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 16 patients with facial scars were included. Most of the scars were caused by burns (43.8%) or trauma (31.3%). The post-interventional course was uneventful. Overall POSAS scores improved decisively for both observers (n=2) and patients (n=16) (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Also, there was an improvement in QoL with an increase in emotional well-being (p=0.043) and social functioning (p=0.01). Furthermore, the aesthetic outcome was significantly enhanced (p=0.001) after treatment.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The CO2-AFL offers a safe and effective treatment for disfiguring facial scars. We have shown that improvement of scar appearance and scar quality was meaningful to the patient, with a significant impact on a patient's life quality. Based on these findings we suggest including the CO2-AFL in the facial scar treatment concept.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2132-2140Informations de copyright
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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