Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Jun 28. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009466. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scars are a vexing sequela of surgery. Microneedling, also known as Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Collagen Induction (MIPCI), has demonstrated impressive improvements in chronic acne scars; however, no evidence exists for treating post-surgical scars during active wound healing. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the utility and safe use of MIPCI in acute post-surgical scars.
METHODS: Twenty-five subjects who underwent surgery had scars treated with 3 treatments of MIPCI in the postoperative period. Scar assessment was measured by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Patient & Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) after each of the 3 treatments and at final 2 month follow up.
RESULTS: Patients had positive improvement in VSS, POSAS and GAIS at 16-week post treatment initiation evaluation compared to initial measurement (p value<0.001). No statistically significant differences were noted when comparing the age of the patient, location of scars or Fitzpatrick Phototype Scales between patients. However, when comparing patients who began treatment early (week 6 to 7 post-op) to those who began treatment late (week 13 to 16 postop), there was a statistically significant difference in the POSAS group (p value <0.04).
CONCLUSIONS: Post-surgical scars treated with MIPCI in the maturation and remodeling phase had no adverse outcomes. Interestingly, our data shows treatment initiated early in the maturation phase (6-7 weeks post-op) while natural collagen formation was tapering off demonstrated improved aesthetic outcomes compared to treatments initiated late in the maturation phase (13-16wk post-op).
PMID:35759632 | DOI:10.1097/PRS.0000000000009466
