Comparative Efficacy of Dynamic and Contact Cooling With the Fifth-generation Pulsed Dye Laser for Breast Surgical Scars in Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND

Surgical scars following breast cancer treatment can significantly impact survivors' quality of life. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in improving erythematous scars, and epidermal cooling devices are commonly used to enhance treatment safety and comfort. However, no studies have directly compared contact cooling (CC) and dynamic cooling device (DCD) modalities with the fifth-generation PDL.

METHODS

In this randomized, controlled split-scar trial, 20 female patients with bilateral surgical breast scars underwent 3 PDL treatments (595 nm) at 4-6 week intervals. One side was treated with CC and the other with a DCD. Outcomes were assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale, Manchester Scar Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale, optical coherence tomography, and pain scores.

RESULTS

Both CC and DCD treatments resulted in statistically significant scar improvement, with no significant difference between modalities in Vancouver Scar Scale, Manchester Scar Scale, or Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scores. Mean pain scores were low (2.6 for CC and 2.3 for DCD; P = 0.1378). Optical coherence tomography imaging demonstrated reduced vascular density in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The fifth-generation PDL is effective for treating erythematous breast surgery scars. Both CC and DCD treatments demonstrated equivalent clinical improvement and minimal discomfort, supporting their use as effective and well-tolerated options for the treatment of erythematous surgical scars in breast cancer survivors.