Can sanding make surgery scars disappear?
NCT ID NCT07233200
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 25, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a procedure called dermabrasion, which sands the skin, can improve the appearance of scars from free flap reconstruction in the head and neck. Forty adults who had flap surgery at least three months ago will have half their scar treated and half left alone. Doctors will compare photos to see if the treated side looks better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dermabrasion (a device that sands the skin to improve scar appearance)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-surgical way to make free flap scars look better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 40 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and dermabrasion carries risks like infection or skin color changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jan 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 18 years or older. 2. History of successful free flap reconstruction with a cutaneous skin paddle in the head and neck region. 3. Patients with benign (eg. osteoradionecrosis, trauma) or malignant (eg. squamous cell carcinoma) diagnoses requiring free flap reconstruction. 4. Benign free flap patients must be a minimum 3 months post-operative to ensure flap maturity. Malignant free flap patients must be a minimum of 3 months post-operative or post-radiation with no further cancer treatment (eg. radiation, surgery, chemotherapy) planned at that time. 5. Flap skin paddle must be of sufficient size and external to allow for split-treatment design (minimum 4 cm in diameter). Donor site scar must also be sufficient size (minimum 6 cm in length) 6. Patients must have ability to provide informed consent. 7. Willingness and ability to comply with the treatment and follow-up schedule. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to give informed consent. 2. Evidence of active flap or radiation skin complications (e.g., infection, partial necrosis, wound breakdown). 3. Completion of head and neck radiation therapy within 3 months of first dermabrasion treatment date. 4. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \> 8.0%). 5. Current antibiotic use or known immunocompromised state. 6. History of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring. 7. Fitzpatrick skin type VI or higher (due to increased risk of pigmentary changes). 8. Use of isotretinoin medication within the past 3 month (known to induce photosensitivity). 9. Current use of blood thinners that cannot be safely paused. 10. Known photosensitivity disorders. 11. Active malignancy requiring ongoing treatment. 12. Inability or unwillingness to avoid sun exposure during the treatment period. 13. Inability to perform or adhere to prescribed wound care. 14. Inability or unwillingness to attend follow-up visits.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.