Percutaneous collagen induction as an additive treatment for scar formation following thermal injuries: Preliminary experience in 47 children

Microneedling in the Treatment of Post-burn Hypertrophic Scars

INTRODUCTION

Post-burn hypertrophic scars are an important cause of physical discomfort, limitation of movements, psychological disorders, low self-esteem and reduced quality of life. Treatment for this condition is complex and involves several options. Microneedling, also known as minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction, is an affordable minimally invasive option that can be combined with other treatments, including ablative ones.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to present our microneedling approach for the treatment of hypertrophic scars after burns.

METHOD

A prospective study of 15 patients with post-burn hypertrophic scars was conducted between October 2016 and June 2022. All patients were treated with microneedling and drug delivery of triamcinolone. Scars were evaluated using Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Burn Scar Assessment Scale (BSAS) and angle measurement for amplitude of movement evaluation of joints.

RESULTS

A significant improvement in the VSS score was obtained after microneedling (8.8 ± 0.44 to 4.1 ± 0.98; p = 0.012), especially in the acute group (less than 1 year after burns): 9.3 ± 0.49 to 3.5 ± 1.36; p = 0.041. There was a significant and progressive improvement of the scars throughout the treatment sessions in all criteria evaluated and in the ranges of joint movement (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Our microneedling protocol promoted a significant improvement of post-burn scars, especially in acute hypertrophic scars, and in the amplitude of joint motion. Sequential treatments provided progressive improvement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Nanovaccines for Advancing Long-Lasting Immunity against Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases, particularly life-threatening pathogens such as small pox and influenza, have substantial implications on public health and global economies. Vaccination is a key approach to combat existing and emerging pathogens. Immunological memory is an essential characteristic used to evaluate vaccine efficacy and durability and the basis for the long-term effects of vaccines in protecting against future infections; however, optimizing the potency, improving the quality, and enhancing the durability of immune responses remains challenging and a focus for research involving investigation of nanovaccine technologies. In this review, we describe how nanovaccines can address the challenges for conventional vaccines in stimulating adaptive immune memory responses to protect against reinfection. We discuss protein and nonprotein nanoparticles as useful antigen platforms, including those with highly ordered and repetitive antigen array presentation to enhance immunogenicity through cross-linking with multiple B cell receptors, and with a focus on antigen properties. In addition, we describe how nanoadjuvants can improve immune responses by providing enhanced access to lymph nodes, lymphnode targeting, germinal center retention, and long-lasting immune response generation. Nanotechnology has the advantage to facilitate vaccine induction of long-lasting immunity against infectious diseases, now and in the future.

Microbotox injection versus its topical application following microneedling in the treatment of wide facial pores: A split face comparative study

BACKGROUND

Enlarged facial pores and seborrhea are common cosmetic problems. Mesobotox has been proved to be effective safe therapeutic option.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and longevity of intradermal mesobotox injection versus its topical application with microneedling for treatment of wide facial pores and seborrhea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This split face study was conducted on 20 patients with enlarged facial pores and seborrhea. One side of the face was treated with intradermal injection of botulinum toxin, the other was treated with its topical application following microneedling. Patient evaluation was performed after 1 month then after 4 months.

CONCLUSION

Microbotox can effectively and safely minimize enlarged facial pores with no downtime. Intradermal injection showed more patient satisfaction on the basis of greater efficacy, longevity of treatment than its topical application following microneedling.

Autologous Scar-Related Tissue Combined with Skin Grafting for Reconstructing Large Area Burn Scar

BACKGROUND

This study introduced a novel method to reconstruct large areas of scarring caused by burns via combining autologous scar-related tissue with spit-thickness skin grafting (ASTCS).

METHODS

25 patients underwent reconstruction after scar resection surgeries around the joints were analyzed between Jan 2012 and Jan 2018. Patient demographics and clinical parameters were collected, autologous scar-related tissue was modified to meshed structure, and the split-thickness skin was acquired from the scalp. The scar was resected and punched by a meshing machine with a thickness of 0.3-0.5 mm at a ratio of 1:1. The secondary wounds were covered by the epidermis from a donor site. The surgical areas were bandaged for 7-10 days before the first dressing change.

RESULTS

25 patients (mean [SD] age, 26.4 [18.8] years; 16 [64%] men) underwent wounds reconstructive operations due to scar resection were reviewed. Wound location of 9 (22%), 8 (19.5%), 9 (22%), 7 (17.1%) and 8 (19.5%) cases were reconstructed in axillary, hand and wrist, popliteal fossa, elbow and neck, respectively. 39 sites of transplanted tissues survived well, and 2 sites were cured after two weeks of dressing changes. Except the analysis of injury causes, nutritional status, wound area and hospital days, patients with scar deformities in joint areas achieved satisfactory function by assessing the Vancouver Burn Skin Score and the Barthel Index Scale Scores after 12-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining autologous scar-related tissue with skin grafting provided a novel method for treating large areas of burn scars with better functional outcomes.

Safety Profile for Microneedling: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates collagen and elastin proliferation. It is used in the treatment of various skin pathologies, that is, scarring, photodamage, and hair loss; however, its safety profile has yet to be comprehensively reviewed.

OBJECTIVE

This review will discuss the reported side effects of microneedling in the current literature and delineate factors that increase the risk of complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search in August 2019 was conducted using the PubMed database to identify studies reporting adverse events (AEs) after microneedling therapy.

RESULTS

Eighty-five articles were included in this systematic review. The most common reported AEs are transient procedural events that are expected postprocedure lasting up to 7 days, such as transient erythema/edema and pain, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), dry skin/exfoliation, lymphadenopathy, and irritant contact dermatitis. Persistent serious adverse effects included PIH, tram-track scarring, and granulomatous reactions. Factors that increase the risk of events are active infections, darker skin, and metal allergies.

CONCLUSION

Microneedling is a relatively safe therapy. Most reported AEs are minimal, resolving quickly and spontaneously. Caution should be taken in patients with active infection, darker skin types, metal allergies, and when used in conjunction with products not approved for intradermal use.

Microneedling: Percutaneous Collagen Induction (PCI) Therapy for Management of Scars and Photoaged Skin-Scientific Evidence and Review of the Literature

Demand for safe, less aggressive and cost-efficient treatment modality to improve skin quality and appearance following scarring or photoaging is increasing steadily. A treatment modality that preserves the epidermis while promoting regeneration rather than cicatrization would be ideal. Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) therapy or microneedling is claimed to approach this ideal objective. The current comprehensive literature review is intended to analyze the scientific basis supporting this therapeutic modality and to evaluate the efficacy of PCI microneedling therapy versus no treatment of patients with photoaged skin and scars of various etiologies on aesthetic skin rejuvenation, skin tightening and scar quality in prospective, retrospective and experimental studies. Twenty-five published studies were identified and included in this review. Four publications are experimental animal studies; most clinical reports are case series or small cohort non-randomized studies or trials lacking methodological unity with a heterogenous mix of scars, wrinkles and skin laxity being treated. The majority are studies about management of scars of various etiologies while only 4 specifically investigated the effect of PCI on wrinkles and aging skin. One study compared burn scar erythema in the treated area to the untreated area, and 5 studies included histologic evaluation of biopsies. Despite PCI promising therapeutic benefits and its increasing cosmetic applications, the current literature review unfortunately revealed a limited number of high-quality studies mostly experimental. Data and conclusions of clinical studies must be carefully interpreted before translating the evidence presented into clinical recommendations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Percutaneous collagen induction (microneedling) for the management of non-atrophic scars: literature review

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) or needling techniques are increasingly popular in the reconstructive and aesthetic arena. The underlying mechanisms of action rest on producing a pattern of non-ablative and non-confluent puncture wound pattern to the dermis with a resulting regenerative effect to the skin.

METHODS

A detailed English literature review was conducted using PubMed Medline, Embase and Web of Science; the manuscripts were appraised and classified according to level of evidence as well risk of bias. Results are presented in descending order of evidence for non-atrophic scars.

DISCUSSION

On the basis of level 1 evidence currently available, the combination of needling and silicone gel can improve the short-term pliability, height and vascularity of hypertrophic and keloid scars. According to level 2 evidence, needling alongside spray keratinocytes can produce a statistically significant improvement to patient/observer scar ratings and improve pigmentation in hypopigmented burn scars at 12-month follow-up. Results from mixed cohort studies also point towards needling having a beneficial effect on fat graft retention. Level 3 data suggest that needling can render significant resurfacing effects to both mature and actively hypertrophic burn scars at 12-month follow-up based on objective scar scales; furthermore, favourable histological changes are seen, including better collagen alignment in the dermis and increased epidermal thickness.

CONCLUSION

Needling techniques are promising adjuncts to non-atrophic scar management. Further research with long-term follow-up and comparative design protocols incorporating other resurfacing modalities is warranted before the exact value of needling is delineated in scar management protocols.

Personal Technique of Microinfiltration With Botulin Toxin: The SINB Technique (Superficial Injection Needling Botulinum)

The superficial injection needling botulinum (SINB) technique is the dermal injection of microdoses of botulin toxin, not by traditional syringe but with needling technique that consists in multiple microdroplets by electrical device. The intention is to decrease sweat and sebaceous gland activity to improve skin texture and sheen and to target the superficial layer of muscles that find attachment to the undersurface of the dermis causing visible rhytides. The technique is for treatment of face and neck by the injection of the botulin toxin into the dermis or in subdermal plane to improve skin texture, smoothen horizontal creases, and decrease vertical banding of the neck as well as to achieve better apposition of the platysma to the jawline and neck, improving contouring of the cervicomental angle. The botox solution is hyperconcentrated when compared to traditional dilution or compared to microbotox or mesobotox. Furthermore, the injection technique is different because spreading superficial microdroplets are not performed, but small, homogeneous, and controlled amounts of solution are injected. Each 0.8-mL syringe contains 50 units of onabotulinumtoxinA. The solution is delivered intradermally, using an electrical needling pen and setting the depth penetration of the needles at 3 to 3.5 mm. The 2 conjugated techniques play a 2-fold action on the skin. The technique was applied to a group of 63 patients dealing with face, forehead, cheekbones, and neck.