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Clinical Trial Summary

This study will assess the safety and efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment for Lichen Planus Pigmentosus (LPP). LPP is a chronic pigmentary disorder typically involving the forehead, lateral cheeks, and occasionally other sun-exposed areas such as the forearms. Clinically, LPP appears as a reticulated brown to black macules and patches. Previously studied effective treatments of LPP include topical tacrolimus and corticosteroids. LPP is often recalcitrant to therapy, with chronic maintenance treatment needed to prevent repigmentation. There are few reports of laser modalities being used to treat LPP, with Nd:YAG being the only published laser modality to be attempted. Although topical therapies are relatively safe, there is a lack of satisfactory treatment options for this patient population. Fractional CO2 laser has been widely used for photoaging due to its effectiveness and high safety profile. Clinically evident improvement can be appreciated even after only one session of treatment. Ablative fractional laser resurfacing is both safe and effective for the treatment of the vascular, pigmentary and textural components of skin disorders. No data exist regarding the use of fractional CO2 laser for management of LPP. This study hopes to fulfill this purpose. The study subjects' body will be divided into two equal halves along sagittal midline section with one side receiving treatment with fractional CO2 laser (experimental) and the other left untreated (control)


Clinical Trial Description

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of LPP defined by a skin biopsy will be recruited. Ten patients will be consented. Before the initial visit, all patients will complete a one-month preoperative daily use of SPF 50+ sunscreen. The sun protection is to reduce further sun damage and protect skin from increased photosensitivity that may occur after laser resurfacing. At the initial visit, high resolution photographs of the affected area will be taken. All patients in each group will fill out a form with demographic information. Patients will be instructed to come to their appointment with clean skin and without any lotions or moisturizers on the area. Laser-specific eyewear will be provided to practitioners, patients, and all other people in the treatment room. A blue skin marking pen will be used to draw a line separating the body into two equal halves. Compounded benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine (BLT) cream in a 20:8:4% concentration will be applied to the treatment area for 40 minutes prior to the procedure. Before the treatment, topical anesthesia will be thoroughly washed off with chlorhexidine gluconate and distilled water. One pass with a 1-mm spot density and a 60micron depth will be performed followed by a 1mm spot density and a 200-micron depth will be used. The left half of the testing area will be left intact and used as the control for easy comparison. Forced cold air (Zimmer cooler) will also be used in conjunction with the laser device for better patient comfort. Cold compresses with refrigerated distilled water can be used to reduce swelling and to soothe the skin with frequent reapplication of white petrolatum to keep the skin coated for days 1-5 post-procedure with strict sun avoidance for the first week post-procedure. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF50+ will be required after the first week. Given the current pandemic, limited in-person follow-ups will be scheduled (once at baseline before treatment, then at 12 and 24-weeks post-treatment. Participants will communicate immediate post-treatment issues or concerns along with selfies through MyChart on day 2, 3, 7, 10, 14 to track progress and to identify any post procedural complications in a timely fashion. There will also be no costs to the patients for the laser procedures as funding will be supplied by the UT Southwestern Dermatology department via an educational grant. Patients desiring treatment of the control side after the study end-point (24 weeks) will be provided at no cost for the participants. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05170308
Study type Interventional
Source University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Contact
Status Withdrawn
Phase N/A
Start date August 1, 2022
Completion date December 31, 2022

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04233749 - The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Lichen Planus Pigmentosus and Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans Phase 2
Recruiting NCT04308421 - Efficacy of Red Light in the Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders N/A