COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF CONVENTIONAL METHOD, PULSE DYE LASER AND ERBIUM LASER FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC SCARS IN IRANIAN PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scar is an elevated scar with ugly appearance that isn't acceptable even in reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, there is no standard and effective treatment for it. Conventional treatments such as corticoster- oid injection and garment usage have limited effectiveness. In recent year, laser is suggested for reduction of the vol- ume and height of these scars. But in different studies, different results from very effective to ineffective were reported for this type of treatment. METHODS: This study was a single blind randomized clinical trial that was done on three groups. In each group, 40 pa- tients with hypertrophic scar were included. In group one PDL, group 2 Erbium laser and in group 3 corticosteroid were used. Scar improvement was assessed by the amount of decrease in Vancouver burn scar (VBS) score; the higher the decrease, the better the improvement. RESULTS: Although the mean VBS score significantly decreased in all three groups after treatment, the decrease in mean VBS score in group 3 was significantly lower than the decrease in mean VBS scores of groups 1 and 2 (P values were 0.037 and 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Some types of laser such as PDL and erbium can improve elevation and vascularity of hypertrophic scar. These types of treatment can use in hypertrophic scar management when vascularity and elevation of scar are un- favorable.