Dr Helen Buschel¹, Dr Aki Onishi¹, Dr Kyle Crowley¹, Ms Tegan Olsen¹, Ms Debra Phillips¹, Ms Michelle Parkinson¹, Dr Bhanu Mariyappa-Rathnamma¹, Dr  Harry Stalewski¹, Dr Daniel Carroll¹

¹Queensland Health, Townsville, Australia

Abstract:

Background

CO2 fractional laser is being increasingly used for the treatment of severe scars in adults. There are few studies on the management of paediatric burns scars with promising results, however the literature is limited. In our centre, we have been using CO2 fractional laser for the management of hypertrophic burns scars in children since September 2019.

Aim

To describe our experience and results with CO2 fractional laser in the management of children with hypertrophic burns scars at Townsville University Hospital.

Methods

A retrospective study of all children undergoing CO2 fractional laser for hypertrophic burns scars from September 2019 to May 2022 was performed. The patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) pre and post operatively was used to assess for improvement.

Results

During the study period, we managed twenty six children with a total of 76 laser sessions with CO2 fractional laser. 17/26 children were male and 8/26 children were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. There was significant improvement in the appearance of and symptoms associated with hypertrophic burns scars with CO2 fractional laser.

Conclusions

At Townsville University Hospital, CO2 fractional laser has been used in the management of hypertrophic burns scars in children for nearly three years with favourable results.

Biography:

Aki Onishi is an unaccredited registrar working in paediatric surgery at Townsville University Hospital. Helen Buschel is a SET 1 paediatric surgery registrar.