Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: an alternative treatment for burn scars.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) in post-burn scarring.


BACKGROUND
Patients with scarring after burn frequently request help in improving the aesthetic appearance of their residual cicatricial deformity. Their scars are generally treated by tissue transfer, W- and Z-plasties, flaps, cortisone injections or ablative procedures that injure or destroy the epidermis and its basement membrane and subsequently lead to fibrosis of the papillary dermis. The ideal treatment would be to preserve the epidermis and promote normal collagen and elastin formation in the dermis.


METHODS
A total of 16 consecutive patients (average age: 37+/-15.5 years, average body mass index (BMI): 25.7) in Germany with post-burn scarring.


METHODS
PCI using the Medical Roll-CIT (Vivida, Cape Town, South Africa). This device was designed to multiply-puncture the skin to the level of the dermal scar to institute remodelling. Patients were prepared with topical vitamin A and C cosmetic creams for a minimum of 4 weeks preoperatively to maximise collagen stimulation.


METHODS
The outcome was measured rating (visual analogue scale (VAS) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS)), histological specimen 12 months after intervention.


RESULTS
On average, patients rated their improvement as a mean of 80% better (+/-15.5) than before treatment. Histologic examination revealed considerable increase in collagen and elastin deposition 12 months postoperatively. The epidermis demonstrated 45% thickening of stratum spinosum and normal rete ridges as well as the normalisation of the collagen/elastin matrix in the reticular dermis at 1 year postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study shows that PCI appears to be a safe method for treating post-burn scarring without destroying the epidermis. The procedure can be repeated safely and is also applicable in regions where laser treatments and deep peels are of limited use. However, it is necessary to initiate an efficacy trial to prove the data of this pilot study.
Aust
Matthias C
MC
Department for Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neubergstr. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. aust_matthias@gmx.de
Knobloch
Karsten
K
Reimers
Kerstin
K
Redeker
Jörn
J
Ipaktchi
Ramin
R
Altintas
Mehmet Ali
MA
Gohritz
Andreas
A
Schwaiger
Nina
N
Vogt
Peter M
PM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014801:Vitamin A; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid