Effects of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Fractional CO 2 Laser treatment of burn scars and correlation with plasma levels of collagen type I, MMP-2 and TIMP-1

• Published in: Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries 2021-09, Vol.47 (6), p.1342
• Main Authors: Matuszczak, Ewa, Weremijewicz, Artur, Koper-Lenkiewicz, Olga Martyna, Kamińska, Joanna, Hermanowicz, Adam, Dębek, Wojciech, Komarowska, Marta, Tylicka, Marzena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burns - complications; Carbon Dioxide; Child; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic - pathology; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic - surgery; Collagen Type I - blood; Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; Humans; Lasers, Dye - therapeutic use; Lasers, Gas - therapeutic use; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - blood; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - blood; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1879-1409
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.12.011

Hypertrophic burn scars remain a significant burden for patients and a challenge for clinicians. Assessement of the efficacy of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Ablative Fractional CO Laser therapy on hyperthophic scars and correlation with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen. Twenty five pediatric subjects were enrolled into the study. Control group consisted of age-matched subjects admitted for surgical repair of inguinal hernia. For the assessment of the results of laser treatment we used the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), and Patient-Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). We also correlated clinical results with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen. All subjects reported the laser treatment resulted in improvement and were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. No adverse events were reported. The levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen in our patients with scars before laser threatment were higher in comparison to controls. We also found statistically significant decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly shows that combined CO2-AFL treatment for burn scars improve texture, colour, function and alleviate pruritus. We believe that decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars, reflects reduced dynamic of scar.