To determine the efficacy of the 585nm pulsed dye laser in the treatment of traumatic or surgical scar. We made retrospective study with 26 patients and used 585nm pulsed dye laser (V-Star(R), 7mm spot size, mean 9.3J/cm2)in the treatment of traumatic or surgical scar. Scar were evaluated before and after the laser therapy by photo graph and Vancouver Scar Scale and Color Chart Manual and Visual Analogue Scale. Three month later after the last laser therapy, final scar analysis by the blinded examiner revealed a improved patient's satisfaction by visual analogue scale and much improvement on VSS parameter(vascularity and pigmentation) and Color Chart Manual. 585nm pulsed dye laser is effective and safe in improving the quality and cosmetic appearance of erythematous and hypertrophic scar.
Cicatrix* ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Dye* ; Retrospective Studies

So far, studies on the mechanism of scar formation have mainly focused on cells, cytokines and extracellular matrix. Some studies have shown that fibroblast is one of the most important element in the process of scar formation, while epidermal and endothelial cells exert synergistic effects as well. Genetic factor can not be ignored in scar formation, either. Recently, studies have shown decisively the loss or damage of the three-dimensional structure of dermal tissue is the initiator of scar formation. Thus, the defect of epidermis template is proposed as a theory in order to explain the mechanism of scar formation. There are various techniques for scar treatment. The commonly accepted methods are physical therapy, pressure therapy, pharmaceutical therapy, radiotherapy, etc.
Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Dermis ; pathology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of liposuction in scar repair.

METHODSLiposuction using tumescent technique was performed at the scar region. While the local skin was relaxed and tension decreased, scar resection and wound closure followed. The indications and key points of this operation are discussed in the article.

RESULTSThis method has been used in 27 patients for scar repair since 2000. The biggest area of excised scar was 40 x 9.5 cm. The width of the excised scar reached 11 cm. All the patients got satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONThe operation was simple and safe with little blood loss. After liposuction, a larger area of scar at a fatty region could be excised, and meanwhile, body sculpture was achieved.

Burns ; complications ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; therapy ; Humans

Recently, more and more clinical and basic studies have shown that early intervention of scars after wound healing can shorten the immature period of scars, improve the final outcome of scars, effectively prevent and control the occurrence and development of pathological scars. However, there are many methods for early management of scars with varying quality, and there is a lack of expert consensus on early scar management. Based on the existing clinical evidence of each intervention method and clinical experience of experts, more than 40 domestic experts from Standing Committee of Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics Scar Medicine Branch have reached a consensus on definition, therapeutic principles, therapeutic methods, and other aspects of early scars after multiple discussions and revisions, providing reference for clinical treatment.
Cicatrix/therapy* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Wound Healing

Burns ; complications ; therapy ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; therapy ; Humans ; Keloid ; therapy

Different from other trauma, the scar and pigmentation formed after healing of burn wound not only hinder beauty but also easily lead to a series of sequential psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Music therapy, as a supplementary treatment, is widely used in many fields including medical and health care and psychological regulation. However, affected by factors such as medical resources, the awareness and acceptance of music therapy among burn treatment workers in China are still low. Based on the clinical characteristics of burns, this paper matches the applicability of music therapy with it, summarizes the supplementary application of music therapy in the field of burn treatment, expounds this natural science with both science and aesthetics, and puts forward feasible suggestions for its future development.
Anxiety ; Burns/therapy* ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Music Therapy ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Treatments including intralesional corticosteroid injection, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, and various laser therapies have had limited success for keloids and hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVE: This trial evaluated the efficacy of a combination of 578 nm copper bromide laser and the more traditional intralesional corticosteroid injection for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with respect to scar color. METHODS: Keloids or hypertrophic scars of 12 Korean patients were treated five times by the combined treatment at 4-week intervals. Clinical improvement was assessed by the physicians' global assessment (PGA) comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs, as well as 4 weeks after the last treatment. Erythema intensity was quantified using a mexameter. RESULTS: Most scars showed significant clinical improvement in PGA and decreased erythema intensity after 5 treatments. All patients showed improvements in symptoms like pruritus. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment is effective for keloids and hypertrophic scars, especially when the telangiectatic portion of the scars is prominent. The adjunctive use of 578 nm copper bromide laser decreased the telangiectatic side effects of an intralesional corticosteroid injection by reducing the vascular components of scars.
Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Copper* ; Cryotherapy ; Erythema ; Humans ; Keloid* ; Laser Therapy ; Pilot Projects* ; Pruritus

BACKGROUND: Open thyroidectomy is conventionally performed at the anterior side of neck, which is a body part with a comparatively great degree of open exposure; due to this, postoperative scarring may cause distress in patients. We aimed to compare the effects of ablative and nonablative fractional laser treatments on thyroidectomy scars. We examined medical records in a retrospective manner and analyzed scars based on their digital images by using the modified Manchester Scar Scale (mMSS). METHODS: Between February 2012 and May 2013, 55 patients with thyroidectomy scars were treated with ablative (34 patients) or nonablative (21 patients) fractional laser. Each patient underwent 4 laser treatment sessions in 3–4 week intervals, 1–2 months postoperatively. Scar improvement was assessed using patient images and the mMSS scale. RESULTS: The mean decrease in scar score was 3.91 and 3.47 in the ablative and nonablative groups, respectively; the reduction between 2 groups did not exhibit any significant difference (P=0.16). We used the scale once again to individually evaluate scar attributes. The nonablative group accounted for a considerably higher color score value (P=0.03); the ablative group accounted for a considerably higher contour score value (P<0.01). Patient satisfaction was high and no complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Both types of fractional laser treatments can be used successfully for thyroidectomy scar treatment with minimal complications; however, results indicate that higher effectiveness may be obtained from the use of ablative and nonablative lasers for hypertrophic scars and early erythematous scars, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate laser for scar treatment should be selected according to its specific characteristics.
Cicatrix* ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Patient Satisfaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroidectomy*

BACKGROUND: Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM) is a dermal pigmented lesion common in individuals of Oriental origin. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNYL) has been used successfully to treat a variety of benign, dermal, pigmented lesions, including nevus of Ota lesions. The similarity between ABNOM and nevus of Ota suggested that QSNYL may also be effective in the former. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and side-effect profiles of QSNYL treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients. METHODS: Of 42 Korean patients with ABNOM, 29 were treated with QSNYL (1,064 nm, 3 mm spot size, fluence 8~9.5 J/cm2), for up to 10 sessions each. Clinical photographs were taken before and after treatment. Lesion clearance was graded and complications such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, hypopigmentation, and erythema were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 29 treated patients, 19 (66%) showed excellent or good results. Of the patients who were treated more than 3 times, 76% showed good to excellent results. Two patients experienced post-laser hyperpigmentation (PLH), which persisted for more than one month, but no patient experienced persistent erythema or hypertrophic scarring. CONCLUSION: QSNYL is safe and effective in the treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients. Short-interval repetitive treatment is especially useful in improving therapeutic results and reducing PLH.
Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Erythema ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypopigmentation ; Laser Therapy ; Nevus ; Nevus of Ota