AI Article Synopsis

  • Laser therapy is an effective treatment for pediatric burn scars, with studies indicating that the timing of therapy plays a crucial role in the outcome, particularly suggesting that early intervention (within 12 months) yields better results than later treatment.
  • A comprehensive meta-analysis of seven studies involving 467 patients showed significant improvements in scar assessment metrics (VSS and POSAS) and scar attributes like vascularity and height following laser therapy.
  • Non-ablative lasers were found to be the most beneficial type, outperforming other laser types in enhancing scar characteristics and overall effectiveness.

Article Abstract

Background: Laser therapy has emerged to play a valuable role in the treatment of paediatric burn scars; however, there is heterogeneity in the literature, particularly concerning optimal timing for initiation of laser therapy. This study aims to investigate the effect of factors such as scar age, type of laser and laser treatment interval on burn scar outcomes in children by meta-analysis of previous studies.

Methods: A literature search was conducted across seven databases in May 2022 to understand the effects of laser therapy on burn scar outcomes in paediatric patients by metanalysis of standardized mean difference (SMD) between pre- and post-laser intervention. Meta-analyses were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 4.0. Fixed models were selected when there was no significant heterogeneity, and the random effects model was selected for analysis when significant heterogeneity was identified. For all analyses, a -value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 467 patients. Laser therapy significantly improved Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS)/Total Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (Total POSAS), vascularity, pliability, pigmentation and scar height of burn scars. Significant heterogeneity was found between the studies and thus subgroup analyses were performed. Early laser therapy (<12 months post-injury) significantly improved VSS/POSAS scores compared to latent therapy (>12 months post-injury) {SMD -1.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.08; -0.87],  < 0.001 -0.59 [95%CI = -1.10; -0.07],  = 0.03} as well as vascularity {SMD -3.95 [95%CI = -4.38; -3.53],  < 0.001 -0.48 [95%CI = -0.66; -0.30],  < 0.001}. Non-ablative laser was most effective, significantly reducing VSS/POSAS, vascularity, pliability and scar height outcomes compared to ablative, pulse dye laser and a combination of ablative and pulse dye laser. Shorter treatment intervals of <4 weeks significantly reduced VSS/POSAS and scar height outcomes compared to intervals of 4 to 6 weeks.

Conclusions: Efficacy of laser therapy in the paediatric population is influenced by scar age, type of laser and interval between laser therapy application. The result of this study particularly challenges the currently accepted initiation time for laser treatment. Significant heterogeneity was observed within the studies, which suggests the need to explore other confounding factors influencing burn scar outcomes after laser therapy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10838059PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/burnst/tkad046DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

laser therapy
20
burn scars
12
laser
9
scar age
8
type laser
8
laser treatment
8
paediatric burn
8
scars heterogeneity
8
burn scar
8
scar outcomes
8

Similar Publications

, a rare Gram-negative pathogen first identified in 2003, belongs to the family. Although infrequently reported, it has been isolated from various clinical infections, including wounds, and respiratory tract infections. Our case report highlights an unusual presentation of in a 13-year-old girl with a complex medical history, associated with external ear pressure ulcers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Near-Infrared Organic Small-Molecule Photosensitizer With O Self-Supply for Cancer Photodynamic-Photothermal Synergistic Therapy.

Small

December 2024

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.

Tumor hypoxia and heat resistance as well as the light penetration deficiency severely compromise the phototherapeutic efficacy, developing phototherapeutic agents to overcome these issues has been sought-after goal. Herein, a diradical-featured organic small-molecule semiconductor, namely TTD-CN, has been designed to show low exciton binding energy of 42 meV by unique dimeric π-π aggregation, promoting near-infrared (NIR) absorption beyond 808 nm and effective photo-induced charge separation. More interestingly, its redox potentials are tactfully manipulated for water splitting to produce O and reduction of O to generate O .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bronchial schwannoma is a rare benign tumor traditionally managed through surgical resection. This case report describes a 69-year-old Chinese woman with an asymptomatic bronchial schwannoma incidentally discovered during routine health check-up. Computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy revealed a broad-based mass (27 mm × 16 mm) at the right lower lobe bronchus, causing complete obstruction of the dorsal segment and severe stenosis (>80%) of the basal segment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Update on Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Review.

Int Ophthalmol Clin

January 2025

Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a significant health care concern in neonatal care as advances in neonatal intensive practices have improved the survival rates of premature infants. The management and screening of ROP have evolved significantly, with notable trends and advancements aimed at improving outcomes. The use of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections has emerged as a prominent initial treatment for ROP in addition to laser photocoagulation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic condition that causes gradual central vision loss, most commonly in patients 50 years or older. This disease is commonly classified as either dry (non-exudative) or wet (exudative). Most patients with AMD have the non-exudative form, characterized by the presence of drusen in the macula.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!