Ablative Fractional Resurfacing for the Treatment of Traumatic Scars and Contractures

FRONTIERS IN DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY

Ablative Fractional Resurfacing for the Treatment of Traumatic Scars and Contractures

Jun
2012
Vol. 31. No. 2
E. Victor Ross, MD | Nathan S Uebelhoer, DO

After a decade of military conflict, thousands of wounded warriors have suffered debilitating
and cosmetically disfiguring scars and scar contractures. Clearly, there is a need for
effective scar treatment regimens to assist in the functional and cosmetic rehabilitation of
these patients. Traditional treatments, including aggressive physical and occupational
therapy and dedicated wound care, are essential. Adjunctive treatments with established
laser technologies, such as vascular lasers and full-field ablative lasers, have had a
somewhat limited role in scar contractures due to modest efficacy and/or an unacceptable
side effect profile in compromised skin. Refractory scar contractures often require surgical
revision, which can be effective, but is associated with additional surgical morbidity and a
significant risk of recurrence. Furthermore, current scar treatment paradigms often dictate
scar maturation for approximately a year to allow for spontaneous improvement before
surgical intervention. Since 2009, the Dermatology Clinic at the Naval Medical Center San
Diego has been treating scars and scar contractures in wounded warriors and others using
ablative fractionated laser technology. Although traditionally associated with the rejuvenation
of aged and photo-damaged skin, our clinical experience and a handful of early reports
indicate that laser ablative fractional resurfacing demonstrates promising efficacy and an
excellent side effect profile when applied to the functional and cosmetic enhancement of
traumatic scars and contractures. This article discusses our clinical experience with
ablative fractional resurfacing and its potential prominent role in rehabilitation from traumatic
injuries, including a possible shift in scar treatment paradigms toward earlier procedural
intervention. Potential benefits include the optimization of scar trajectory and higher
levels of full or adapted function in a more favorable time course.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:110-120 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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