Dr Andrea C Issler Fisher^1,4,5, Dr Oliver Fisher^2,3, Dr Frank Li¹, A/Prof Peter Haertsch^1,4, Dr Zhe Li^1,4,5, Prof Peter Maitz^1,4,5

¹Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, Australia, ²Department of Surgery UNSW, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Australia, ³Department of Surgery, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia, ⁴University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia, ⁵ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, Australia

Abstract:

Purpose: To perform an extensive outcome analysis and nested-case control study of a burn cohort treated with the ablative fractional CO2 laser (AFL).

Methods: Since December 2014 patients were prospectively recruited and various outcome parameters collected from the date of first consultation and at each follow-up. In a second step a nested case-case control study was performed looking at the same outcome variables.

Results: So far 155 patients with 293 burn scars have been prospectively enrolled in this study. An interims analysis of 41 patients with 93 scars revealed: all analysed objective parameters dropped significantly. Scar thickness decreased from a median of 2.5 to 1.7mm (p<0.001). The VSS dropped from a median of 8 to 5 (p<0.001). The overall POSAS observer and patient decreased from a median 5 to 3 (p<0.001) & 9 to 4 (<0.001) respectively. Neuropathic pain and pruritus also decreased significantly (median 5 to 2 & 16 to 11;both p<0.001). Quality of life, as assessed by the BSHS-B, increased by 14 points (median 126 to 140;p<0.001). All of the identified changes following AFL were irrespective of scar maturation status (> vs < 2 years).

Conclusion: Results from this analysis confirm significant improvements in thickness, texture, colour, symptoms and quality of life of burn patients treated with the AFL. Results from the nested case-control study will be presented.

Biography:

Following training in general surgery, burns & plastic surgery in Switzerland, Dr Issler-Fisher joined the Sydney University Burns Unit of Concord Repatriation General Hospital (CRGH) in Sydney in 2013, where she established and now runs the Burns Scar Clinic in 2015.