Effect of general and surface anesthesia on micro-plasma radiofrequency of hypertrophic scar: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Although micro-plasma radiofrequency (MPR) treatment has a significant effect on scars, patients require anesthesia to relieve the significant discomfort it produces. Whether anesthesia impacts efficacy is unclear. Objective To evaluate the effect of different anesthesia on MPR for hypertrophic scars. Methods A retrospective cohort study involving 101 people was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of general and topical anesthetics for the treatment of MPR scars. The primary measures of outcome were the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores before the first treatment and six months after the last treatment, as well as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores on the day and the day after the final treatment. Results The differences in scar pigmentation, vascularity, and overall VSS scores were higher in the general anesthesia group than in the surface anesthesia group. Patients in the general anesthesia group had a lower pain level than those in the surface anesthesia group. After adjusting for confounding factors and propensity score matching, the outcome of VSS and VAS scores was stable. There was no statistical difference in the adverse effects and satisfaction between the two groups. Conclusion General anesthesia, as opposed to surface anesthesia, may not only ensure safety but also increase the effectiveness of MPR and lessen postoperative pain in the treatment of hypertrophic scars.