Study of the Effects of the Pulsed-dye Laser at 585nm and 595nm to Treat Post-operative Scars on Suture-removal Day

University of Miami

Status: Completed

Conditions: Scars; Cicatrix

Treatments: Procedure: PDL 450 microseconds; Procedure: PDL 1.5 milliseconds

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00482144

1999-0694

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the pulsed-dye laser (PDL) at two different wavelengths, 585nm and 595nm, in the treatment of post-surgical scars starting on suture-removal day.

Full description

Many treatment modalities have been used for the treatment of scars such as dermabrasion, cryotherapy, intralesional corticosteroids, surgical scar revision, and lasers, among others. Previous studies have shown that treatment of scars with the pulsed dye laser (PDL) alone or in combination with other modalities (e.g. corticosteroids, 5-Fluoruracil, silicone sheets) improves the vascularity, pliability, color, and height of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Currently, the PDL has become the laser of choice for the treatment of scars.

To our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature comparing the effects of different wavelengths of the PDL for the treatment of scars. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the PDL at 585nm vs 595nm in the treatment of postsurgical linear scars starting the day of suture removal.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-65
• Postoperative linear scars greater than 6 cm
• Skin photo-types I-IV

Exclusion criteria

• Patient should not be taking any systemic, topical, or intralesional treatment of the scars

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 3 patient groups

Treatment: PDL 450 microseconds

Active Comparator group

Description:

The scar will be randomly divided into three equal fields. One third of the scar will receive PDL using a 7 mm spot size at 4.0 J (Joules) for 450 microseconds. First treatment will be immediately after suture removal, and then monthly for 3 months.

Treatment:

Procedure: PDL 450 microseconds

Treatment: PDL 1.5 milliseconds

Active Comparator group

Description:

The scar will be randomly divided into three equal fields. One third of the scar will receive PDL using a 7 mm spot size at 4.0 J (Joules) for 1.5 milliseconds. First treatment will be immediately after suture removal, and then monthly for 3 months.

Treatment:

Procedure: PDL 1.5 milliseconds

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The scar will be randomly divided into three equal fields. One third of the scar will not receive treatment