Michiel C E van Leeuwen1, Anne-Eva J Bulstra2, Paul A M van Leeuwen3, Frank B Niessen2. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mc.vanleeuwen@vumc.nl. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intralesional (IL) cryotherapy is a new promising technique for the treatment of keloid scars, in which the scar is frozen from inside. Multiple devices are available, mostly based on a simple liquid nitrogen Dewar system, which have a limited freezing capacity. Argon gas-based systems ensure accurate and highly controlled freezing and have shown to be effective within the field of oncologic surgery. However, this technique has never been used for the treatment of keloid scars. OBJECTIVE: This prospective study evaluates an argon gas-based system for the treatment of keloids in a patient population including all Fitzpatrick skin types with a 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with 30 keloid scars were included and treated with a device called Seednet (Galil Medical, Yokneam, Israel). Scar quality and possible scar recurrence were assessed before treatment and post treatment (6 and 12 months) with objective devices determining scar color, scar elasticity, scar volume, and patient's skin type. In addition, scars were evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. RESULTS: After 12 months, a significant volume reduction of 62% was obtained, p = 0.05. Moreover, complaints of pain and itching were alleviated and scar quality had improved according to the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Scar pigmentation recovered in 62% of all keloid scars within 12 months. Five out of 30 (17%) scars recurred within 12 months, three of which had previously been treated with liquid nitrogen-based IL cryotherapy. Both recurrent and persistent hypopigmentation were mainly seen in Afro-American patients. CONCLUSIONS: IL cryotherapy with the use of an argon gas-based system proves to be effective in the treatment of keloid scars, yielding volume reduction and low recurrence rates. Although hypopigmentation recovered in most cases, it is strongly related to non-Caucasian patients. Finally, additional treatment of keloid scars previously unresponsive to IL cryotherapy is predisposed to a high recurrence rate. TRIAL NUMBER: NCT02063243. Crown
BACKGROUND: Intralesional (IL) cryotherapy is a new promising technique for the treatment of keloid scars, in which the scar is frozen from inside. Multiple devices are available, mostly based on a simple liquid nitrogen Dewar system, which have a limited freezing capacity. Argon gas-based systems ensure accurate and highly controlled freezing and have shown to be effective within the field of oncologic surgery. However, this technique has never been used for the treatment of keloid scars. OBJECTIVE: This prospective study evaluates an argon gas-based system for the treatment of keloids in a patient population including all Fitzpatrick skin types with a 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with 30 keloid scars were included and treated with a device called Seednet (Galil Medical, Yokneam, Israel). Scar quality and possible scar recurrence were assessed before treatment and post treatment (6 and 12 months) with objective devices determining scar color, scar elasticity, scar volume, and patient's skin type. In addition, scars were evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. RESULTS: After 12 months, a significant volume reduction of 62% was obtained, p = 0.05. Moreover, complaints of pain and itching were alleviated and scar quality had improved according to the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Scar pigmentation recovered in 62% of all keloid scars within 12 months. Five out of 30 (17%) scars recurred within 12 months, three of which had previously been treated with liquid nitrogen-based IL cryotherapy. Both recurrent and persistent hypopigmentation were mainly seen in Afro-American patients. CONCLUSIONS: IL cryotherapy with the use of an argon gas-based system proves to be effective in the treatment of keloid scars, yielding volume reduction and low recurrence rates. Although hypopigmentation recovered in most cases, it is strongly related to non-Caucasian patients. Finally, additional treatment of keloid scars previously unresponsive to IL cryotherapy is predisposed to a high recurrence rate. TRIAL NUMBER: NCT02063243. Crown
Authors: Michiel C E van Leeuwen; Anne Eva J Bulstra; Johannes C F Ket; Marco J P F Ritt; Paul A M van Leeuwen; Frank B Niessen Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2015-07-08
Authors: Jefferson André Pires; Erick Frank Bragato; Marcos Momolli; Marina Bertoni Guerra; Leonel Manea Neves; Meire Augusto de Oliveira Bruscagnin; Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana; Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes; Sandra Kalil Bussadori; Raquel Agnelli Mesquita Ferrari Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-02-15 Impact factor: 3.240