Combination treatment improves hypertrophic scars

A combination therapy of same-session fractional ablative laser treatment and topical triamcinolone acetonide suspension improves hypertrophic scars, according to results of a recent study.

Investigators with the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute treated 15 patients who had severe hypertrophic scars. The patients were given three to five treatment sessions at two- to three-month intervals using a fractional ablative laser and immediate postoperative topical application of triamcinolone acetonide suspension with a concentration of 10 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL, according to the study abstract.

Results were reviewed by three blinded observers, who analyzed photographs taken at baseline and six months after the final treatment session. The scores were assigned using a modified Manchester quartile score to evaluate enhancements in dyschromia, texture, hypertrophy and overall improvement.

The combination of laser treatment with topical triamcinolone acetonide resulted in an average overall improvement of 2.73 out of 3.0, with 3.0 as the highest overall improvement score.

“Combination same-session therapy with ablative fractional laser-assisted delivery of triamcinolone acetonide potentially offers an efficient, safe and effective combination therapy for challenging hypertrophic and restrictive cutaneous scars,” study authors concluded.

Limitations to the study included the small sample size and the lack of control arm.

Results were published in the March issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.