Micro-plasma radiofrequency and silicone gel dressings for treating early post-traumatic facial scars: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Although different options are available for treating post-traumatic facial scars, they remain a therapeutic challenge.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combined therapy using micro-plasma radiofrequency (MPRF) technology and silicone gel (SG) dressings for treating post-traumatic facial scars.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a single center. Patients with facial injuries in the outpatient and emergency units of the Department of Plastic Surgery at our hospital underwent debridement and cosmetic sutures performed by the same surgeon from October 2020 to October 2021. In the first arm, patients with facial injuries were treated with MPRF technology and SG, and in the second arm, they were treated with SG dressings alone. We observed the safety and effectiveness of these treatments in both arms.

Results: A total of 32 patients with facial injuries were treated with MPRF technology and SG dressings (combined treatment group), and 28 patients were treated with SG dressings alone (SG group). After 6 months of treatment, the Vancouver Scar Scale scores of the combined treatment and SG groups were 1.38 ± 0.71 and 4.39 ± 0.50, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). After 6 months of treatment, the effectiveness rate in the combined treatment group was 93.8%, which was significantly higher than that in the SG group (67.9%), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). No obvious adverse reactions occurred in the two arms.

Conclusion: Treating early post-traumatic facial scars with combined MPRF technology and SG is significantly better than treating them with SG alone; moreover, the combined therapy is safe and effective.

Keywords: Combination therapy; Micro-plasma radiofrequency; Post-traumatic scar; Silicone gel dressings.