Dermabrasion in Mohs: Split-Scar Trial

NCT07213921 | Recruiting FDA Device

• 3 other identifiers: 2025-0592A534300Protocol Version 3/21/25
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential influence of intraoperative dermabrasion on scars following Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS). Researchers are trying to determine if dermabrasion, a method to gently remove the top layer of your skin, is a good or bad tool to improve scar appearance after healing. The use of dermabrasion technique in this study is considered investigational. 50 participants will be enrolled and on study for up to 6 months.

Conditions

Wound Heal

Keywords

dermabrasion; scars

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• POSAS Observer Score at 3 months post-surgery

  The investigators hypothesize that the side of the wound treated with intraoperative dermabrasion will have superior cosmesis as evaluated by the observer components of POSAS when evaluated at 3 months postoperatively. Two blinded reviewers will provide the POSAS Observer score which evaluates scar vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, pliability, and surface area, each from 1 to 10 where higher scores indicate worse scars. Total scores are summed and range from 6-60.

  3 months post-surgery

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• POSAS Patient Score at 3 months post-surgery

  3 months post-surgery

• POSAS Overall Patient Opinion Score at 3 months post-surgery

  3 months post-surgery

• Number of Complications

  3 months post-surgery

Study Arms (2)

A: Superior Side of the Wound

EXPERIMENTAL

The participant's wound will be labeled A if it is on the left or superior side of the investigator

Procedure: Dermabrasion

B: Inferior Side of the Wound

EXPERIMENTAL

The participant's wound will be labeled B if it is on the right or inferior side of the investigator

Procedure: Dermabrasion

Interventions

Dermabrasion PROCEDURE

First, both sides of the wound will be sutured together with a subcutaneous (bottom) layer of stitches. Next, a predetermined, concealed randomization number will be obtained which will specify which side, A or B, will be treated with dermabrasion. An electrocautery scratch pad will be used along the wound edge of the intervention side until pin-point bleeding is achieved. This will add no additional time to the standard of care surgery time. The wound will then be closed with an epidermal (top) layer of stitches, as is the standard of care.

Also known as: electrocautery scratch pad

A: Superior Side of the Wound; B: Inferior Side of the Wound

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Able to give informed consent themselves
• Scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure on the face or neck with predicted linear closure greater than 4 centimeters.
• Willing to return for follow up visit within the evaluation period

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with impaired decision-making capacity
• Significant vision or hearing impairments
• Pregnant Individuals
• Incarceration
• Wounds with predicted closure length less than 4 cm

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead

Study Sites (1)

UW Health Mohs Surgery Clinic

Madison, Wisconsin, 53717, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cicatrix

Interventions

Dermabrasion

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fibrosis; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cosmetic Techniques; Therapeutics; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Study Officials

• Gloria Xu, MD, PhD

  UW School of Medicine and Public Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Dermatology Research

CONTACT

608-287-2622; clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a single center, randomized, evaluator and participant blind, split wound study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 6, 2025
• First Posted: October 9, 2025
• Study Start: October 23, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: October 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF

Locations

US (1)