Subdermabrasion in the treatment of post-burn facial hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars cause great discomfort to the patient and pose a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. This is particularly true in the facial area. Optimal function and aesthetic appearance are the main goals of reconstruction. We suggest an adjunct to the surgical management of facial hypertrophic scars which involves abrasion of the subdermal plane. The technique consists of removal of all scarred skin from the aesthetic unit, dermabrasion of subcutaneous tissues, including the muscular surface (subdermabrasion), and a full thickness skin grafting. This technique was applied in a young patient with hypertrophic burn scars of the chin. Biopsy confirmed our basic assumption that hypertrophic scars extend into the muscular plane.