Rationale: Many treatments have been proposed for cosmetic or functional improvement of scars. It is known that fat grafts and laser treatment can have beneficial effects on the remodeling of scar tissue, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be effective during the wound-healing process. We hypothesized that laser and PRP can enhance fat graft survival and the combination would be effective in improving scars appearance.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of these combinations in the treatment of atrophic and contractile scars.
Methods and results: From 2008-2013, we treated with this combination 64 patients affected by atrophic and contractile scars involving different body parts. At 6 months the patients' overall satisfaction rate was excellent for over 50% of the patients.
Discussion: The association of an ablative laser CO2 with PRP and autologous fat graft seems to be a promising and effective therapeutic approach for atrophic and contractile scars.
Abbreviations: PRP platelet-rich plasma, OTI orotracheal intubation, HLLT high level laser therapy, LLLT low level laser therapy.
Keywords: fat graft; platelet-rich plasma; preadipocyte; scar.