Conventional diamond fraise vs manual spot dermabrasion with drywall sanding screen for scars from skin cancer surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To directly compare cosmetic improvement and postoperative sequelae resulting from dermabrasion of surgical scars with conventional motor-powered diamond fraise vs manual dermabrasion with medium-grade drywall sanding screen.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with conventional diamond fraise dermabrasion to one half of the scar and manual dermabrasion with a drywall sanding screen to the other half in a prospective, comparative clinical study. Blinded observers assessed clinical variables during a 6-month follow-up period.


METHODS
University hospital/cancer center-based cutaneous surgery unit.


METHODS
Twenty-one healthy volunteers, Fitzpatrick skin type I to III, with contour irregularities resulting from granulation (7 patients) or reconstruction (14 patients) after skin cancer excision.


METHODS
One half of the patient's scar was treated with motor-powered diamond fraise dermabrasion and the other half was treated with manual dermabrasion with medium-grade drywall sanding screen.


METHODS
Correction of contour, scarline visibility, time to reepithelialization, presence or absence of milia, degree of postoperative erythema, hypertrophic scarring, patients' subjective reports of postoperative pain, and presence of pigmentary changes were observed for both methods. Standardized scoring systems were used to quantify outcome measures.


RESULTS
According to the standardized scoring systems, no differences were found between the 2 methods at any point. In addition, no significant differences were found between the methods for any measure at any of the time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Both dermabrasion techniques are equally effective in improving the cosmetic appearance of surgical scars.
Gillard
Montgomery
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Health System, Ann Arbor, USA.
Wang
Timothy S
TS
Boyd
Charles M
CM
Dunn
Rodney L
RL
Fader
Darrell J
DJ
Johnson
Timothy M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003869:Dermabrasion; D018130:Diamond / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018130:Diamond