Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT03057964?

Participants must meet protocol criteria for Scar. Confirm exact inclusion and exclusion requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT03057964 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-06-29

PDL and Fractional Photothermolysis for Postsurgical Scars (NCT03057964)

🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ⚙️ Medical Device Protocol Sponsor: Northwestern University

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This is a two part study to evaluate the efficacy of early combined PDL (pulsed dye laser) and fractional photothermolysis in the cosmetic improvement of post surgical scars.All subjects will be offered at the time of the dermatologic procedure, an option to treat the post surgical scars with early combined PDL and fractional photothermolysis. Part A is a non-randomized study design and subjects will have the choice of whether or not they will receive treatment. In part B, subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 treatment vs. control design. The experimental group will have a total of 6 visits: 1 standard of care suture removal visit, 3 treatment visits and 2 follow up visits. The control group will have 3 visits: 1 standard of care suture removal visit and 2 follow up visits. Subjects currently living in the Chicago metropolitan area and meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will be considered for enrollment. This study is a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of this procedure.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).

Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology — Chicago, Illinois

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Males or females ≥ 18 years old
Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI
Subjects are in good health as judged by the investigator.
Subjects who have received dermatologic surgery procedure of the trunk or extremities closed with complex primary closure with subcuticular running suture removed at 2-3 weeks.
Subjects applying topical retinoids, must discontinue one week prior to treatment.
Subjects who are willing and have the ability to understand and provide informed consent for participation in the study and are able to communicate with the investigator.

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
History of recurrent facial or labial herpes simplex infection
Subjects applying topical retinoids, must discontinue one week prior to treatment.
Subjects with a history of hypertrophic scars or keloids
Pregnant or breast feeding
Uncooperative patients or patients with neurological disorders who are incapable of following directions or who are predictably unwilling to return for follow-up examinations.
Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or give informed consent.
Subjects who in the opinion of the investigator are likely to have exaggerated scarring with laser treatments.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology — Chicago, Illinois

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗