Scar improvement after abdominoplasty via fluorescent light energy therapy as an adjunct to the standard of care: a post-market observational investigation of POSAS data.

Abstract

Background: Achieving optimal skin scarring after surgery is a major concern for patients and physicians worldwide. An innovative form of photobiomodulation, namely Fluorescent Light Energy (FLE), is increasingly used in clinical settings as an adjunct to the Standard of Care (SoC) to treat wounds. In Italy, a post-market observational investigation using data from the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was conducted to confirm the effectiveness of FLE in managing post-abdominoplasty scars as an adjunct to standard of care (SoC).

Methods: The observational investigation involved the POSAS data of 27 patients treated with FLE treatment, namely LumiHeal. LumiHeal was applied for four weeks during dressing changes following surgery. POSAS questionnaires administered during follow-up visits at three (FU1) and six (FU2) months after surgery were investigated. POSAS scores' percentage decrease and statistically significant P value were calculated.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the mean values on POSAS Total Scores from FU1 to FU2, and on each sub-scale of the Observer POSAS, as well as on the Patient POSAS on colour, indicative of healthy healing and aesthetically pleasing scar outcomes. In addition, no patient developed complications, including wound dehiscence or infections, or skin lesions due to FLE applications.

Conclusions: Observational POSAS data evaluation reveals to be a valid tool, suggesting that LumiHeal FLE treatment was an effective adjunctive treatment to the SoC on 27 patients in a real-life setting as an Italian clinic for postoperative scar management.