Optimizing VAP scars after childhood cancer treatment: a pilot study

PURPOSE: Majority of pediatric cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy using Venous Access Ports (VAP). However, after surgical removal of the VAP prominent scars often remain and standard care is lacking.

METHODS: Patients (N = 20) who were willing to participate were included prior to surgical removal of their VAP. All patients were off therapy at time of VAP removal. Patients had the option to either choose from Dermatix®, meridian color therapy (MCT), or no additional treatment (NAT). Assessment of scars was done prior to and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgical VAP removal using Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scales (POSAS) questionnaires. To identify whether Dermatix® or MCT is associated with better scar healing than without additional treatment, Mann-Whitney U tests were used.

RESULTS: After 12 months of follow-up, both patients and dermatologists noted VAP scars had healed better after MCT compared to those without treatment (P = 0.010 for both POSAS patient and POSAS observer). No significant differences were observed between VAP scars after Dermatix® use and those with no treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Scar healing after MCT significantly improved, whereas Dermatix® treatment showed no significant differences compared to NAT. To translate this to daily care, a larger prospective study is needed to validate these findings.