Microneedling in the Treatment of Post-burn Hypertrophic Scars

• Published in: Aesthetic plastic surgery Vol. 48; no. 12; pp. 2321 - 2329
• Main Authors: Mota, Wellington Menezes, Salles, Alessandra Grassi, Remigio, Adelina Fátima do Nascimento, Gemperli, Rolf, Alonso, Nivaldo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-06-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Burns; Compression therapy; Lasers; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Normal distribution; Original Articles; Otorhinolaryngology; Patients; Plastic Surgery; Quality of life; Range of motion; Self esteem; laser; Hypertrophic scars; Burn scars; Drug delivery; Microneedling; Triamcinolone; CO; CO2 laser
• ISSN: 0364-216X; 1432-5241; 1432-5241
• DOI: 10.1007/s00266-023-03820-2

Introduction
Post-burn hypertrophic scars are an important cause of physical discomfort, limitation of movements, psychological disorders, low self-esteem and reduced quality of life. Treatment for this condition is complex and involves several options. Microneedling, also known as minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction, is an affordable minimally invasive option that can be combined with other treatments, including ablative ones.
Objective
The goal of this study was to present our microneedling approach for the treatment of hypertrophic scars after burns.
Method
A prospective study of 15 patients with post-burn hypertrophic scars was conducted between October 2016 and June 2022. All patients were treated with microneedling and drug delivery of triamcinolone. Scars were evaluated using Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Burn Scar Assessment Scale (BSAS) and angle measurement for amplitude of movement evaluation of joints.
Results
A significant improvement in the VSS score was obtained after microneedling (8.8 ± 0.44 to 4.1 ± 0.98;
p
= 0.012), especially in the acute group (less than 1 year after burns): 9.3 ± 0.49 to 3.5 ± 1.36;
p
= 0.041. There was a significant and progressive improvement of the scars throughout the treatment sessions in all criteria evaluated and in the ranges of joint movement (
p
= 0.012).
Conclusion
Our microneedling protocol promoted a significant improvement of post-burn scars, especially in acute hypertrophic scars, and in the amplitude of joint motion. Sequential treatments provided progressive improvement.
Level of Evidence IV
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors
www.springer.com/00266
.