Abdominal scars after DIEP flap breast reconstruction
Conditions
Interventions
The procedure consists of 3 microneedling sessions using an electric-powered pen, performed on one abdominal scar half. The interval of the sessions is 4 weeks. Settings will be adjusted to participan
Sponsors
Radboudumc and University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: - Have an abdominal scar resulting from a DIEP flap breast reconstruction in the past 18 months, but at least 3 months ago; - Have a wish for improvement on pain, itching, color, stiffness, thickness, irregularity or overall scar quality of (at least 10 cm) the abdominal scar; - Age equal or above 18 years; - Dutch speaking, reading and writing; - Able to provide informed consent; - Fitzpatrick type I-III according to the classification of skin phototype (I-IV).
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: - Are currently applying or receiving any form of scar therapy what needs to be continued during the study; - Consider to undergo scar reconstruction surgery during the study; - Are on chemotherapy or radiotherapy; - Have a presence of skin cancers, warts, solar keratosis, or any skin infection in the abdominal scar area; - Have keloid scarring in the abdominal scar area or the tendency to develop keloid scarring based on previous developed keloid scars; - Are not willing to use sun protecting factor (SPF) for the period of 4 weeks after each microneedling session; - Have an uncontrollable coagulation status; - Are or become palliative or terminal; - Have or develop a serious systemic disease; - Are or become pregnant or have a wish to become pregnant during the study; - Who are simultaneous participate in another scientific study interfering with the abdominal scar formation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Patient experienced scar quality using the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) total score of the POSAS. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Secondary parameters are: patient experienced scar quality, patient satisfaction, subjective assessment of scar quality, objective scar quality measured with the Dermalab and experienced side effects. | — |
Contacts
Public ContactKristel Everaars
Plastic Surgery, Radboudumc
Outcome results
None listed