Pain and Itch Reduction in Burn Scars Treated With Fractional CO2 Laser

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Apr 23, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking into how fractional CO2 laser therapy can help reduce pain and itchiness in patients with hypertrophic burn scars. These types of scars can develop after a burn and may cause uncomfortable symptoms even years after the injury. The researchers want to understand better how the laser treatment not only improves the appearance of the scars but also makes patients feel better by easing their pain and itch.

To participate in the study, candidates need to have a hypertrophic burn scar from a burn that happened within the last two years and must already be planning to receive laser treatment. Participants should experience symptoms like pain or itchiness in the scar area. They will also need to agree to have a small skin sample taken for testing and be willing to follow up for a year after the treatment. It’s important to note that if someone has certain medical conditions or is taking specific medications, they may not qualify for this study. Overall, this trial aims to help improve the quality of life for those suffering from painful and itchy burn scars.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patient must have a hypertrophic burn scar treated by skin grafts or allowed to heal secondarily
• • Burn must have occurred within the last 2 years from time of recruitment
• • Patient must have symptoms of pain and/or itch and/or hypersensitivity in the hypertrophic burn scar area
• • Patient must already be planning to undergo laser treatment for their burn scar
• • Patient must be willing to undergo biopsy procedures
• • Patient must be willing and able to participate in the study with a year of follow-up
• • Not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the treatment phase of the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Medical Conditions that preclude laser treatment
• • Active tanning, including the use of tanning booths, during the course of the study
• • Inability to complete surveys
• • Previous laser (PDL, CO2), surgical reconstructive treatment procedures done on the hypertrophic burn scar
• • Current treatment with other procedures or drugs (experimental or other) in area of interest
• • Medications that interfere with wound healing (oral steroids, immunosuppressive medications, chemotherapy or other)
• • Medication for itch (steroids, antihistamines, or other)
• • Medication for pain (opioids, topical pain treatment, gabapentin, ondasetron, paroxetine or other)
• • Adverse reactions to topical or local anesthetic agents needed for this study, if no alternative to the said agent exists
• • The study area should not be part of a contracture or other hypertrophic scar that would be better treated with surgical procedures.
• • The study scar must not be adjacent to/in continuity with areas of HTBS that are planning to be treated with surgical interventions.
• • Any other condition or laboratory value that would, in the professional opinion of the investigator, potentially affect the subject's response or the integrity of the data or would pose an unacceptable risk to the subject
• • Patient suffers from epilepsy or seizure disorder.