title: Treatment of traumatic scars using plasma skin regeneration (PSR) system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several modalities have been advocated to treat traumatic scars, including surgical techniques and laser resurfacing. Recently, a plasma skin regeneration (PSR) system has been investigated. There are no reports on plasma treatment of traumatic scars. The objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of plasma treatment of traumatic scars in Asian patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Asian patients with traumatic scars were enrolled in the study. Three treatments were performed at monthly intervals with PSR, using energy settings of 2 to 3J. Patients were seen 1 week after each individual treatment and 3 months after the last treatment. Improvement was determined by patient questionnaires and physician evaluation of digital photographs taken prior to treatment and at 3 months post-treatment. The patients were also evaluated for any side effects from the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine of 20 patients showed more than 50% improvement. The average pain score on a 10 point scale was 5.8+/-1.3 SD and all patients tolerated the treatments. The average re-epithelization time was 7.3+/-2.8 SD days. Temporary and local hyperpigmentation was observed in four patients and this hyperpigmentation disappeared within 3 months. Hypopigmentation and worsening of scarring were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma treatment is clinically effective and is associated with minimal complications when used to treat traumatic scars in Asian patients. However, deep traumatic scars are resistant to plasma treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. tkono@prs.twmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: William Frederick
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Groff
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaki
authors.forename: Kazukata
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soejima
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nozaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012038:Regeneration; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena