Combo laser-cision, pinhole method effective for burn scars

(HealthDay)—For patients with hypertrophic burn scars, a combination laser-cision and pinhole method using a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser may be a new effective treatment option, according to research published online April 11 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.

Sang Ju Lee, M.D., Ph.D., of the Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic in Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues reviewed the charts of nine patients (mean age, 31.2 years) with hypertrophic burn scars treated by combination laser-cision and pinhole method (January 2007 to December 2012).

The researchers found that subjects were treated with one to three treatment sessions at one-year intervals by laser-cision and five to eight treatment sessions at two- to three-month intervals by pinhole method. Blinded evaluation of photographs taken at baseline and six months after the final treatment showed mild to moderate improvement in all the patients. A mean improvement score of 3.11 was seen on patient satisfaction surveys.

"Combination laser-cision and pinhole method using a CO₂ laser may be a new effective treatment option for patients with hypertrophic burn scars," the authors write.