Efficacy of platelet-poor plasma gel in combination with fractional CO 2 laser in striae distensae: A clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical study

Platelet-poor plasma gel is a semi-solid plasma formulation that recently recommended as autologous bio-filler for treatment of atrophic dermal scars. To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of plasma gel in combination with fractional CO laser versus fractional CO laser alone in striae distensae (SD). This study included 36 SD patients treated by three sessions (one session/1.5 months) of fractional CO laser on all SD lesions following intradermal injection of plasma gel on one side and saline (as placebo) on the other side. Significant clinical improvements associated with remarkable narrowing of SD lesions and prominent enhancement of skin texture were observed on both treatment sides. Obviously, higher degrees of clinical improvements of SD lesions were reported following combined therapy with fractional CO laser and plasma gel rather than fractional CO laser monotherapy. However, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) was reported more frequently with fractional CO laser monotherapy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed significant epidermal improvement, and homogenization, and orientation of dermal collagen bundles as a result of both therapeutic procedures. Plasma gel in combination with fractional CO laser could be considered a promising novel treatment modality for SD. Plasma gel not only improves the efficacy of fractional CO laser but also decreases the frequency of PIH.