title: Treatment of mesh skin grafted scars using a plasma skin regeneration system.
abstract: Objectives. 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 mesh skin grafted scars. The objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of plasma treatment of mesh skin grafted scars in Asian patients. Materials and Methods. Four Asian patients with mesh skin grafted scars were enrolled in the study. The plasma treatments were performed at monthly intervals with PSR, using energy settings of 3 to 4 J. 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. All patients showed more than 50% improvement. The average pain score on a 10-point scale was 6.9 +/- 1.2 SD and all patients tolerated the treatments. Temporary, localized hypopigmentation was observed in two patients. Hyperpigmentation and worsening of scarring were not observed. Conclusions. Plasma treatment is clinically effective and is associated with minimal complications when used to treat mesh skin grafted scars in Asian patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Medical Center East, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Takamitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashimori
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: William Frederick
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Groff