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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07213921

Dermabrasion in Mohs: Split-Scar Trial

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.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Wound Heal Cicatrix Fibrosis Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

UW Health Mohs Surgery Clinic

Madison, Wisconsin, 53717, United States

About this study

Primary Objective: Scar assessment at 3 months postoperatively by utilizing observer component of Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)

Secondary Objectives:

  • Patient portion of POSAS
  • Overall patient opinion of scar appearance
  • Complication rate

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Other names: electrocautery scratch pad

Primary outcomes

  1. POSAS Observer Score at 3 months post-surgery

    Time frame: 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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. POSAS Patient Score at 3 months post-surgery

    Time frame: 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 patient components of POSAS when evaluated at 3 months postoperatively. The POSAS Patient score evaluates scar pain, itching, color, stiffness, thickness, and irregularity, each from 1 to 10 where higher scores indicate worse symptoms or physical scar characteristics. Total scores are summed and range from 6-60.

  2. POSAS Overall Patient Opinion Score at 3 months post-surgery

    Time frame: 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 patient components of POSAS when evaluated at 3 months postoperatively. The POSAS overall patient opinion score ranges from 1 to 10 where higher scores indicate worse symptoms or physical scar characteristics.

  3. Number of Complications

    Time frame: 3 months post-surgery

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Intraoperative Dermabrasion in Mohs Surgery: A Randomized Split-Scar Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 9, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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