Ablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing Helps Treat Restrictive Pediatric Scar Contractures abstract

Conventional management of debilitating pediatric scar contractures, including hand therapy and surgery, may often be beset by delayed treatment, suboptimal results, and additional surgical morbidity. Ablative fractional laser resurfacing is an emerging adjunctive procedural option for scar contractures because of its promising efficacy and safety profile. However, its use to improve function has not been studied in the pediatric population. Herein we report 2 pediatric patients with recalcitrant scar contractures, causing persistent functional deficits, treated with an ablative fractional laser protocol. Both patients experienced rapid and cumulative subjective and objective improvements in range of motion and function as measured by an independent occupational therapist without reported complications. We highlight ablative fractional laser resurfacing as a novel and promising tool in the management of function-limiting scar contractures in children and propose that the technique be incorporated into existing scar treatment paradigms, guided by future research. Pediatrics 2014;134: e1700–e1705 AUTHORS: Andrew C. Krakowski, MD,a Alina Goldenberg, BA,b Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD,a Jill-Peck Murray, OTR/L, CHT,c and Peter R. Shumaker, MDd aDivision of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, and cOccupational Therapy, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California; bUniversity of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California; and dDepartment of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California