Evaluation of subjective and objective scar outcomes post treatment of burn scars with fractionated CO2 ablative laser.

Patients who attended Royal Adelaide Hospital Burns Unit for a reconstruction review and went on to undergo CO2 laser to their scars were invited to participate in this study. 13 participants were included, some of which had repeat laser procedure to their scars and still had measurements taken. The outcomes that were rated by the patients themselves showed improvements in the treated scars with scores reaching a similar score to that given to the control scars which were not lasered. As part of the ratings completed by the patients, itch was also rated and also showed a decline after the laser procedures. Ratings completed by the investigator did not show any significant change in scar outcomes. The instruments used to measure depth (ultrasound), colour, water loss, and elasticity did not show any significant difference between lasered and non-lasered scars. There was a trend for some improvement of lasered scars up until 6 months affter the procedure but then a return to baseline at 12months. We were unable to establish a protocol for laser following a table outlining laser settings according to scar thickness due to other clinical factors impacting upon the surgeons choice of settings.