[Experimental study and preliminary clinical application of bacterial collagenase in catabolizing scars].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of collagenase in degradation of hypertrophic scars and observe the clinical effects of this therapy.

METHODS

Both animal experiment and clinical trial were conducted.

RESULTS

The injection of collagenase into the hypertrophic scar tissues in nude mice resulted in 86% volume reduction after two injections within two weeks, while the control tissues reduced only by 35% during the same time. Clinically, 13 cases were treated with intralesional injection of bacterial collagenase. The volume reduction rate was 46.92% in average within two weeks. The volume reduction in 4 of 13 cases was above 50%. Three to sixteen months' follow-up of five patients revealed that only one case of keloid recurred after treatment in the second month. Examinations of histological sections and TEM showed the dissolved collagen fiber clearly.

CONCLUSION

Collagenase can degrade collagen fiber directly. The prompt significant effects and the mild complications make it a prospective therapy.