Fractional Radiofrequency for Reduction of Surgical Scar Formation

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Surgical Incision
• Interventions: Device: Fractional Radiofrequency

• Registration Number: NCT05897723
• Lead Sponsor: Venus Concept

Brief Summary

Safety and Efficacy of Fractional Radiofrequency for the Reduction of Surgical Scar Formation

Detailed Description

The study will evaluate up to 20 subjects scheduled to undergo breast reduction or breast mastectomy in which scar assessment can be made after pre-surgical treatment in a split-body design. The study will involve a single treatment of radiofrequency (RF) applied to one side of the surgical area(s) within 24 hours prior to the procedure. The subject will act as their own control, where one surgical area will be treated, and the other will not be and will act as the control. Tissue samples will be biopsied from the RF treated skin, as well as non-treated skin, at follow up visits. The samples will be used for histological evaluation to assess tissue structure and regeneration following surgery.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-06-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-06-01
• Study First Posted: 2023-06-09
• Study Start: 2023-09-01
• Status Verified: 2024-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-28
• Primary Completion: 2025-05-31
• Study Completion: 2025-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

1. Healthy, female subjects 21-75 years of age who are seeking pre-treatment for the prevention of surgical scars.
2. Able to read, understand and voluntarily provide written Informed Consent.
3. Able and willing to comply with the treatment/follow-up schedule and requirements.
4. Willing to avoid direct sunlight to the treatment area for the duration of the study.
5. Women of child-bearing age are required to be using a reliable method of birth control at least 3 months prior to study enrollment and for the duration of the study, and have a negative Urine Pregnancy test at baseline.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Subjects with any implantable metal device in the treatment area
2. Pacemaker or internal defibrillator, or any other active electrical implant anywhere in the body (e.g. cochlear implant).
3. Permanent implant in the treated area, such as metal plates and screws, or an injected chemical substance.
4. Current or history of any kind of cancer, or dysplastic nevi.
5. Severe concurrent conditions, such as cardiac disorders.
6. Pregnancy or intending to become pregnant during the study and nursing.
7. Impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases, such as AIDS and HIV, or use of immunosuppressive medications.
8. History of diseases stimulated by heat, such as recurrent herpes simplex in the treatment area; may be enrolled only following a prophylactic regime.
9. Poorly controlled endocrine disorders, such as diabetes.
10. Any active condition in the treatment area, such as sores, psoriasis, eczema, and rash.
11. History of skin disorders, such as keloids, abnormal wound healing, as well as very dry and fragile skin.
12. History of bleeding coagulopathies, or use of anticoagulants.
13. Use of isotretinoin (Accutane®) within six months prior to treatment or at physician discretion.
14. Treating over tattoo or permanent makeup.
15. Excessively tanned skin from sun, tanning beds or tanning creams within the last two weeks.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treatment Group	Fractional Radiofrequency	All enrolled subjects will undergo breast reduction or breast mastectomy in which scar assessment will be made after pre-surgical treatment in a split-body design, involving a single treatment of RF application to one side of the surgical area(s) within 24 hours prior to the procedure. The subject will act as their own control, where one surgical area will be treated, and the other will not be and will act as the control. Tissue samples will be biopsied from RF treated skin, as well as non-treated skin, at follow up visits. The samples will be used for histological evaluation to assess tissue structure and regeneration following surgery.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Independent blinded assessment	6-months after treatment	Independent blinded evaluator assessment of the surgical scar sites using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), comparing follow-up visit photographs for both the treated and untreated sides.
Principle Investigator (PI) evaluation of the scar(s)	3- and 6-months after treatment	PI evaluation of the scar(s) using the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) at 3 and 6 months post-treatment for both the treated and untreated sides. Non-invasive skin assessments will be evaluated to document scar morphology, scar thickness/density and colorimetry for both the treated and untreated sides.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Histological Assessment	1-, 3- and 6-months after treatment	Histological assessment of the treated and the untreated (control) area.
Scar Morphology	Baseline, 3- and 6-months after treatment	Scar morphology will be digitally analyzed using 3D photography camera
Ultrasonography	Baseline, 3- and 6-months after treatment	High ultrasonography will be used to analyze scar thickness, epidermal thickness and skin density
Subject Satisfaction	3- and 6-months after treatment	Subject satisfaction of treatment using the Subject Satisfaction Scale
Colorimetry	Baseline, 3- and 6-months after treatment	o Colorimetry assessment will be used to establish a clinically acceptable objective assessment of patients' scars

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery; 🇺🇸 Dallas, Texas, United States