Patient- and Physician-Reported Outcome of Combined Fractional CO2and Pulse Dye Laser Treatment for Hypertrophic Scars in Children

Background Hypertrophic scars are commonly seen in children and associated with pruritus, pain, functional impairment, and aesthetic disfigurement. Ablative fractional CO(2)and pulse dye laser are emerging techniques to improve scar quality. Only limited data are available on children, nonburn scars, and patient-reported outcome. We aimed to investigate safety and outcome of repeated laser therapy for hypertrophic scars originating from burns and other conditions by means of patient- and physician-reported outcome measures. Methods This was a retrospective before-after analysis of laser treatments in children with hypertrophic scars. Outcome was measured using Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, Vancouver Scar Scale and Itch Man Scale. With respect to safety, laser- and anesthesia-related complications were analyzed. Results Seventeen patients, aged 11.37 +/- 4.82 years with 27 scars, underwent 102 distinct laser treatments, mainly combined CO(2)and pulse dye laser (94%), with few CO(2)only (6%). Vancouver Scar Scale total score before the first and after the first session decreased significantly from 7.65 +/- 2.12 to 4.88 +/- 1.73; Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale observer overall opinion also dropped from 5.88 +/- 1.57 to 4.25 +/- 1.70. Pruritus improved significantly. Patient age and timing of laser intervention did not have an impact on treatment response. Complications related to laser treatment were seen in 2% (wound infection, n = 2) and to anesthesia in 4% (insignificant n = 2, minor n = 1). Conclusions Combined laser therapy significantly improves quality, pain, and pruritus of hypertrophic scars in children. When provided by experienced laser and anesthesia teams, it is safe with a low rate of complications.