3.1. Analysis.
Comparison 3 Fractional laser versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 1 Within‐individual studies.
| Within‐individual studies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Interventions | Summary Outcomes | Comment |
| Hedelund 2010 | One side: Fractional non‐ablative 1,540‐nm laser Other side: untreated control |
1. Investigator‐assessed improvement in scar texture (short‐term): median (IQR). In the treated arm: 4.5 (2.5 – 6.5); In the untreated arm: 6.0 (4.5 – 8.0) (P = 0.032) 2. Participant satisfaction: Satisfaction scores In the treated arm: median 5.5, IQR 1 – 7 (P = 0.1875) 3. Participant‐reported overall acne scar appearance (short‐term): In the treated arm: number of participants evaluated significantly (1/10), moderately (4/10) or slightly (3/10) improved. 2 participants evaluated the appearance of their scars as no improvement after treatment. 4. Participant‐reported adverse events (short‐term): In the treated arm: Participants experienced moderate pain (median 4.5, IQR 3 – 6.5, P = 0.8302), transient erythema (10/10 participants, P = 0.6013), oedema (7/10 participants, P = 0.3675), superficial crusts (3/10 participants, P = 0.6013) and minor bullae (1/10 participants, P = 1). In the untreated arm: No adverse effects were seen in untreated control areas. |
Hedelund 2010 did not assess the secondary outcome ‘Quality of life’ |
| Hedelund 2012 | One side: Fractional ablative CO₂ laser Other side: untreated control |
1. Investigator‐assessed improvement of scar texture and atrophy (short‐term): Mean values of the 3 evaluators assessment scores: In the treated arm: 3.89 ± 1.74 In the untreated arm: 5.22 ± 2.06, (P < 0.0001) Scar atrophy: In the treated arm: 3.56 ± 1.76 In the untreated arm: 4.89 ± 1.94, (P < 0.0001) 2. Participant satisfaction: Satisfaction scores: In the treated arm: median 4.5, IQR 2 – 7, (P = 0.117) 3. Participant self‐assessments of scar texture improvement (short‐term): median (IQR) In the treated arm: 3 (2 – 6) (P = 0.629) 4. Participant‐reported adverse events (short‐term): In the treated arm: Participants experienced mild to moderate pain (median (IQR); 2 (2 – 4), P = 0.086). Participants responded with erythema (no erythma: 4/8, mild: 8/13; moderate 1/13) and wounds (mild 12/13; moderate 1/13) 2 – 3 days. In the untreated arm: No adverse effects were seen in untreated control areas. 5. Investigator‐assessed adverse events (short‐term): 9/13 participants responded with mild to moderate erythema while all participants responded with mild to moderate wound formation 2 ‐ 3 days post‐treatment. No significant differences were found in skin redness and pigmentation between treated and untreated areas. |
Hedelund 2012 did not assess the primary outcome ‘Serious adverse effects’ and the secondary outcomes ‘Quality of life’. |