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Laser-assisted delivery of triamcinolone acetonide effectively treated challenging scars

Patients with hypertrophic cutaneous scars were safely and effectively treated with ablative fractional laser-assisted delivery of triamcinolone acetonide in combination same-session therapy, according to recent study results.

Jill S. Waibel, MD, of Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute, and colleagues studied 15 patients (aged 17 to 52 years; 12 females) with hypertrophic scars resulting from burns, surgery or traumatic injuries. Patients were treated with three to five sessions at 2- to 3-month intervals consisting of fractional ablative laser treatment and immediate postoperative topical application of triamcinolone acetonide suspension at 10 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL.

 

Jill S. Waibel

Patient photographs taken at baseline and 6 months after final treatment were evaluated by three blinded observers. Enhancements in dyschromia, hypertrophy, texture and overall improvement were evaluated, and scores were assigned by using a modified Manchester quartile scale.

The observers assessed an overall average score of 2.73 on a 0-3 scale. Eleven patients attained a 3.00 average overall improvement score. Twelve patients received a 3.00 score for texture improvement, which averaged a mean upgrade of 2.84.

Scar hypertrophy improvement was graded at an average of 2.76 (range, 1.67 to 3.00), and improvement in dyschromia was rated at an average of 2.36 (0.67-3.00).

Most patients experienced mild to moderate erythema immediately after treatment, but none reported severe pain, erythema or edema. No adverse effects were reported.

“The results of our series indicate that combination same-session therapy with laser and laser-assisted delivery of triamcinolone acetonide offers efficient, safe and effective treatment of challenging hypertrophic cutaneous scars,” the researchers concluded. “While this study utilizes triamcinolone acetonide as the agent taking advantage of the microscopic treatment zones created by the laser, this technique holds promise not only for scar treatment but for a multitude of disorders using cell- and drug-based approaches.”