Clinical efficacy of CO₂ fractional laser in treating post‐burn hypertrophic scars in children: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate and explore the efficacy of CO2 fractional laser in treating post‐burn hypertrophic scars in children through Meta‐analysis.MethodsEnglish databases (PubMed, Web of Science and The National Library of Medicine), as well as Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) were searched. RevMan 5.3 software was used to data analysis.ResultsA total of 10 pieces of literature were included, involving 413 children. Meta‐analysis showed that: (1) The average Vancouver Scar Scale after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [weight mean difference (WMD) = −3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI):−4.53,−2.58, p < 0.001]; (2) After CO2 fractional laser, pigmentation [WMD = −0.74, 95% CI:−1.10,−0.38, p < 0.001], pliability [WMD = −0.92, 95% CI:−1.20,−0.65, p < 0.001], vascularity [WMD = −0.77, 95% CI:−1.09,−0.46, p < 0.001], height [WMD = −0.57, 95% CI:−0.95,−0.19, p < 0.001] were improved compared with those before surgery. (3) The average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [WMD = −3.94, 95% CI:−5.69,−2.22, p < 0.001]. (4) Both Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)‐Observer [WMD = −3.98, 95% CI:−8.44,0.47, p < 0.001] and POSAS‐Patient [WMD = −4.98, 95% CI:−8.09,−1.87, p < 0.001] were significantly lower than those before surgery. (5) Erythema and vesicles were the most common complications after CO2 fractional laser therapy, with an incidence of 4.09%.ConclusionCO2 fractional laser is beneficial to the recovery of hypertrophic scar after burn in children, and can effectively improve the scar symptoms and signs in children, with desirable clinical efficacy.

Treating hypertrophic scar, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and post‐inflammatory hypopigmentation with intense pulsed light

“…Furthermore, the integrated skin cooling mechanism protects the epidermis, enhancing the safety profile of the treatment. 8 , 9 , 10 IPL was shown to be effective in the treatment of hypertrophic scar. Potential complications with IPL include pain, burn, and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation.…”