Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Burn Scar Charateristics

Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Burn Scar Charateristics: A Retrospective Study

No study has investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hypertrophic scar characteristics. Thus, this study aimed to ascertain the effects ESWT on burn scars. The investigators retrospectively reviewed burn patients who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) with same artificial dermis between January 2012 and September 2019.

No study has investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hypertrophic scar characteristics. Thus, this study aimed to ascertain the effects ESWT on burn scars. The investigators retrospectively reviewed burn patients who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) with same artificial dermis between January 2012 and September 2019. The ESWT group (n=17) received shock waves with low-energy flux density (0.05-0.30 mJ/mm2). The interval between treatments is a 1-week. The ESWT group also received standard treatment. The control group (n=18) only received standard treatment. We reviewed skin characteristics before and after 6 treatment sessions for both groups. The investigators checked skin charateristics(erythema, transepidermal water loss, sebum level, and elasticity). The investigators expect that ESWT is effective for significantly improving burn-associated scar characteristics and may be used for managing burn patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a retrospective review of 35 patients who had undergone STSG between January 2012 and September 2019
• limited to the upper extremities(the upper arm, forearm, and hand)
• the scars which undergone STSG with same artificial dermis using Matriderm® (MeSkin Solution Dr. Suwelack AG, Billerbeck, Germany)

Exclusion Criteria:

• not evaluated serial assessments
• below 18 years age