Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
In Vitro Model of Human Cutaneous Hypertrophic Scarring using Macromolecular Crowding
Published on: May 1, 2020
Photodynamic therapy with bioresorbable polymers: a novel approach to hypertrophic scar management
Yiling Zhang1, Yichen Wang1, Qi Wang1
1Department of Dermatology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu, China.
Objective:
To investigate the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with the bioabsorbable polymer poly (p-dioxanone) (PPDO) in the treatment of hypertrophic scars (HS).
Methods:
From April 2021 to April 2024, 120 HS patients were divided into two groups based on their treatment methods: 58 patients received PDT combined with triamcinolone acetonide (PDT+TAC group), and 62 patients received PDT combined with PPDO (PDT+PPDO group). Intergroup analyses compared clinical efficacy, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores, University of North Carolina (UNC) Scar Scale scores, pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), pruritus (Four-Item Pruritus Questionnaire, FIIQ), and levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7). Adverse reactions and short-term recurrence were recorded, as well as psychological effect (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI), and treatment satisfaction.
Results:
Clinical data showed that the overall efficacy of the PDT+PPDO group was superior to that of the PDT+TAC group. At 10 months post-treatment, compared to the PDT+TAC regimen, patients receiving PDT+PPDO treatment showed significantly lower scores on the VSS, UNC, VAS, FIIQ, HADS, and DLQI scales, suppressed TGF-β1 and EGF expression, and enhanced BMP-7 expression(all P>0.05). The short-term recurrence rate was significantly lower in the PDT+PPDO group, and patients had higher satisfaction with treatment outcomes (both P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Evidence suggests that PDT+PPDO has clinical advantages for the treatment of HS.
