Blunt Blade Subcision: An Evolution in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars Publisher Pubmed



Barikbin B¹ ; Akbari Z¹ ; Yousefi M¹ ; Dowlati Y²
Source: Dermatologic Surgery Published:2017

Abstract

Background: Subcision is the mainstay of atrophic acne scar treatment but the efficacy and safety of the procedure is controversial. Objective: To improve the efficacy of the subcision procedure, a blunt subcision blade was designed and evaluated. METHODS Eighteen patients with bilateral atrophic acne scars considered eligible for subcision were enrolled. Before subcision, a tumescent solution was injected subdermally to anesthetize the treatment area and aid the dissection of the dermal-subcutaneous tissue. Patients underwent treatment using the blunt subcision blade, a long metal blade with gradually narrowing edges, and a rounded blunt tip. Early postoperative complications, overall aesthetic improvement and persistent discoloration, or lumpiness were assessed 7 days after subcision and at a 6-month follow-up visit. RESULTS Moderate tomarked improvement of atrophic scarswas observed in 15 cases (83.3%). Mild tomoderate tenderness, periorbital ecchymoses, and swelling were reported by some patients, but resolved completely within 1 week after the procedure. No cases of persistent discoloration or lumpiness were observed at the final visit. Conclusion: The blunt blade subcision procedure is suggested as an effective method for the treatment of atrophic acne scars. © 2016 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.