The Effectiveness of Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Combined Resurfacing for Hypertrophic Scar of the Shoulder

Abstract

Laser treatment for scars has improved over the past three decades. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from whole blood is immunologically inert and contains a proper ratio of growth factors and cytokines. Here we describe the case of a 29-year-old female patient with a hypertrophic scar on her right shoulder caused by an operation performed in 2012. The patient underwent 11 laser therapy sessions with a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) ablative laser system (LineXel) and two PRP injections. Her scar was evaluated with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and the baseline and post-treatment scores were 11 and 3, respectively. After treatment, the dimensions and volume of the scar were diminished, and contour, texture, and pigmentation had also improved compared to baseline. The patient reported less pain, swelling, and pigmentation following PRP combination ablative laser therapy. This case provides further evidence of the potential benefits of PRP as an adjuvant to fractional laser in reducing hypertrophic scars.