Last Updated : June 24, 2019
Details
FilesProject Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Summary with Critical Appraisal
Project Number:
RC1128-000
Question
- What is the clinical effectiveness of fractionated CO2 laser for burn scar improvement?
- What is the cost-effectiveness of fractionated CO2 laser for burn scar improvement?
Key Message
Evidence of limited quality from one systematic review, one randomized controlled trial and four non-randomized studies suggested that treatment of burn scars with fractionated carbon dioxide laser therapy significantly improves the scars (as assessed by Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Vancouver Scar Scale), and reduces pain, pruritus, and scar tightness, as well as improves scar-related quality of life, relative to no treatment or before treatment. Sources of uncertainty include the low or unclear quality of primary studies in the systematic review and the other included studies discussed, and lack of clarity about how the reported scores from the instruments used to measure outcomes translate into changes in function among the treated patients. No relevant evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of fractionated carbon dioxide laser therapy for burn scar improvement was identified.
Files
Last Updated : June 24, 2019