Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosome-Mediated Regeneration in Hypertrophic Burn Scars Treated With...

Hypertrophic scarring following second-degree thermal injuries presents significant functional and cosmetic burdens, often characterized by dysregulated collagen deposition and persistent inflammation. Emerging multimodal treatment protocols involving the combination of regenerative medicine and non-ablative laser treatments offer novel scar management potential. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman presenting with a symptomatic hypertrophic scar resulting from a thermal injury sustained one month prior. The patient underwent a combined treatment protocol consisting of two sessions of fractional laser treatment (1550 + 577 nm), immediately followed by the application of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC)-derived exosomes via microneedling. Following two treatment courses, the patient demonstrated significant clinical improvement, characterized by a marked reduction in pigmentation, decreased erythema, and improved tissue pliability. This observed treatment efficacy is likely attributed to the synergistic effect of the ability of fractional lasers to create photothermolysis for remodeling fibrotic tissues, and the regenerative ability of UCMSC-exosomes to mitigate local inflammation and promote a controlled wound healing process. This case highlights the treatment potential of a multimodal protocol for managing hypertrophic burn scars. Further prospective, controlled studies are necessary to determine if exosome integration offers a definitive clinical advantage over energy-based monotherapies and to establish standardized treatment parameters.