Application of regenerative medicine in treatment of acne scars

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the protocol of nanofat and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infiltration and fractional CO2 laser resurfacing for face atrophic scars by acne and to analyse patient’s satisfaction with the original questionnaire. Methods: From March 2014 to June 2015, 30 patients with acne scarsonthe cheeks were selected for this pilot study. Patients were evaluated preand postoperatively by a physical examination, photographs and ultrasound scan with a 22 MHz probe to measure subcutaneous tissue thickness. All patients were treated by infiltration of nanofat and PRP. The production of PRP was achieved by RegenLab THT tube® method. Subsequently, patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A, which also underwent a fractional CO2 laser resurfacing at 15 W; and group B, which only underwent nanofat and PRP infiltration. The original questionnaire of quality of life questionnaire (QoL-Q) was also administered preand postoperatively to analyse satisfaction and aesthetical perception of the result. Results: Preoperative thickness of subcutaneous tissue of patients from group A was 0.532 mm, whilst preoperative thickness of subcutaneous tissue of patients from group B was 0.737 mm. Postoperative thickness of subcutaneous tissue was 1.201 mm in group A and 1.367 mm in group B. The improvement of thickness of subcutaneous tissue was 0.668 mm in group A and 0.630 mm in group B. The authors applied a t-test on unpaired data, comparing the difference in thickness obtained with the treatment both in group A and in group B, with a P = 0.7289 (not significant). All patients in both groups had a treatment benefit. Conclusion: Combined approach with nanofat, PRP and CO2 laser seems to be effective to improve trophic scars, however, infiltration alone proved to significantly increase skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness. QoL-Q confirmed the impact of acne scars on the face in social life and relationships.