Interventional Study to Evaluate the Appearance of Surgical Scars After Laser Therapy

June 3, 2023 updated by: Ramona Behshad, MD, St. Louis University

A Single Center, Double-blinded Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate Surgical Scars After Treatment With Fractional Carbon Dioxide Rejuvenation Laser Therapy

This study evaluates the effect of a fractionated carbon dioxide laser on surgical scars of the face and neck over 12 months. Anyone with a surgical scar on the face and neck who has not had laser therapy may be eligible to participate. The visits occur every three months for up to 12 months. Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive a higher energy treatment or a lower energy treatment during the study. Subjects and raters will be blinded to which therapy level the patient receives. At each visit, the scars will be photographed and the subject will complete a questionnaire to rate the scar prior to treatment. Three physicians will evaluate the scar at each visit. One rater will evaluate the scars in person during the visit, while the other two raters will evaluate the scars using photographs after each visit. During the first three study visits, subjects will receive their assigned treatment, obtain post-treatment instructions, and a diary to record redness, swelling, pain, itching, or other skin changes after treatment. At the third study visit, subjects will have the option to receive additional treatments or terminate their participation in the study. The fourth visit for those who continue will be a treatment visit for one group and the fifth visit will be for data collection, with no treatment offered.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

In dermatology, the use of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (laser) has revolutionized the management of various conditions including angiomas, vitiligo, wrinkles, and scars. (Omi, 2014 and Chapas, 2008) Scars result from sub-optimal collagen production during wound healing leading to topographical irregularities. To effectively modify these defects, any treatment must be capable of penetrating the epidermis and eliciting dermal remodeling at a depth of at least 1 mm. The 10,600 nm carbon dioxide (CO2) laser utilizes high energy at short durations to vaporize intra- and extra-cellular water, resulting in tissue ablation causing a substantial thermal injury to the dermis, reducing the likelihood of additional scarring. The CO2 laser can stimulate collagen production and theoretically improve scar thickness, pliability, and texture.

This study is a prospective, randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of fractionated carbon dioxide laser in improving surgical scars on the head and neck over 3-5 study visits for a duration of 12.5 months. Scar assessments will be based on objective changes identified on pictures taken with the Canfield Vectra M3 3D Imaging System and subjective changes identified with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a validated scar scale. As a secondary objective, the study will evaluate the tolerability of the laser, by assessing the severity and duration of known side effects of laser therapy such as erythema, edema, burning sensation, post-inflammatory pigment changes, infection, scarring, xerosis, pruritus, bronzing, and any other adverse events that arise following treatment. Subjects will be given a diary after each treatment to document this information.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

51

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Missouri
      • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63122
        • Saint Louis University Department of Dermatology-Des Peres Med Arts Pavilion II

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Surgical scar present in the head or neck region for at least 8 weeks.
  • Capable of providing informed consent
  • Available for study appointments
  • Follows directions of post-treatment instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals under the age of 18
  • Prior laser treatment to the head or neck
  • History of keloid formation
  • Isotretinoin use in the last 6 months prior to study enrollment
  • Allergy to topical lidocaine
  • Pregnant women

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: High Energy Treatment Group
Subjects in this group will receive at least two Syneron-Candela CO2RE laser treatments set at either the Mid mode or the Deep mode of the laser at visits three months apart. Thereafter, individuals in this group will be offered a third optional treatment at one of these settings.
This fractionated ablative laser will administer energy at either a high intensity setting or a low intensity setting to subjects randomized into a particular treatment group. It will be operated by the principle investigator, who has extensive experience with laser therapy.
Placebo Comparator: Low Energy Placebo Group
Subjects in this group will receive at least two Syneron-Candela CO2RE laser treatments set at the Light mode of the laser at visits three months apart. The Light mode is a low energy setting that superficially cleanses the skin, and would not affect the scar, which is deeper in the skin. Individuals in this group will be offered two optional high energy treatments subsequent to receiving the two light energy treatments.
This fractionated ablative laser will administer energy at either a high intensity setting or a low intensity setting to subjects randomized into a particular treatment group. It will be operated by the principle investigator, who has extensive experience with laser therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Vectra Measured Length V1 (Month 0)-V2 (Month 3) for Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 3 months (month 0-3 for original randomized group, month 6-9 for crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the length of the scar after laser therapy.
3 months (month 0-3 for original randomized group, month 6-9 for crossover group)
In Person Blinded Observer POSAS Change V1 (Month 0)-V2 (Month 3) for Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 3 months (month 0-3 for original randomized group, month 6-9 for crossover group)
Utilizing the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) (a scar assessment scale), the study will evaluate features of color change, thickness, width, the texture of the scar, pain associated with the scar, and itching associated with the scar by blinded clinical evaluators. Scale is scored from 1-10 with higher scores indicating a worse scar. A change in the total score is being reported.
3 months (month 0-3 for original randomized group, month 6-9 for crossover group)
Change in Vectra Measured Width V1 (Month 0)-V2 (Month 3) for Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the width of the scar after laser therapy.
3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Change in Vectra Measured Surface Area V1 (Month 0)-V2 (Month 3) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the surface area of the scar after laser therapy.
3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Change in Vectra Measured Length V1 (Month 0)-V3 (Month 6) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 5 (Month 12) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the length of the scar after laser therapy.
6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Change in Vectra Measured Width V1 (Month 0)-V3 (Month 6) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 5 (Month 12) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the width of the scar after laser therapy.
6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Change in Vectra Measured Surface Area V1 (Month 0)-V3 (Month 6) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 5 (Month 12) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Vectra microtopographic imaging system, the study team will measure changes in the suface area of the scar after laser therapy.
6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
In-person Blinded Observer Change POSAS V1 (Month 0)-V3 (Month 6) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 5 (Month 12) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) (a scar assessment scale), the study will evaluate features of color change, thickness, width, the texture of the scar, pain associated with the scar, and itching associated with the scar by blinded clinical evaluators. Scale is scored from 1-10 with higher scores indicating a worse scar. A change in the total score is being reported.
6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Change in Blinded Photo Observer Score POSAS V1 (Month 0)-V2 (Month 3) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) (a scar assessment scale), the study will evaluate features of color change, thickness, width, the texture of the scar, pain associated with the scar, and itching associated with the scar by the blinded clinical evaluators. Scale is scored from 1-10 with higher scores indicating a worse scar. A change in the total score is being reported.
3 months (months 0-3 for the original randomized group, months 6-9 for the crossover group)
Change in Blinded Photo Observer Score on POSAS V1 (Month 0)-V3 (Month 6) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) to Visit 5 (Month 12) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: 6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)
Utilizing the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) (a scar assessment scale), the study will evaluate features of color change, thickness, width, the texture of the scar, pain associated with the scar, and itching associated with the scar by blinded clinical evaluators. Scale is scored from 1-10 with higher scores indicating a worse scar. A change in the total score is being reported.
6 months (months 0-6 for the original randomized group, months 6-12 for the crossover group)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Tolerability Associated With the Laser Treatment at V1 (Month 0) and V2 (Month 3) for the Original Group; Visit 3 (Month 6) and Visit 4 (Month 9) for Crossover Group
Time Frame: V1 (month 0) and V2 (month 3) for the original group; visit 3 (month 6) and visit 4 (month 9) for crossover group
Participants will be given a diary to record the severity and duration of symptoms for the day of treatment and then daily for seven days after each laser treatment: redness, scaling/flaking, pustules, swelling, pain, itching, burning, color changes (darkening and/or lightning), infection, and any other adverse events that arise following treatment. Subjects score each of the symptom severity on a scale of 0-4 (0=none, 1= mild, 2= moderate, 3= intense, 4= intolerable). The average weekly score for each group is reported below.
V1 (month 0) and V2 (month 3) for the original group; visit 3 (month 6) and visit 4 (month 9) for crossover group

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ramona Behshad, MD, Saint Louis University, Department of Dermatology

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 5, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 5, 2016

First Posted (Estimated)

December 7, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 6, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 3, 2023

Last Verified

June 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SLU-27403

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified participant data may be accessed after publication of the results in a medical journal.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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