Scarred by dogma: Revising recommendations for surgery and isotretinoin use
By Warren R. Heymann, MDAug. 22, 2017
Credit: American Academy of Dermatology teaching slide
All dermatologists understand the profound emotions that accompany inflammatory acne and its scars. Indeed, the psychological scars often dwarf the cutaneous lesions. Fortunately, advanced therapeutic options include monotherapy or combinations of energy-based (laser, radiofrequency), chemical-based (peels), surgical-based options (subcision, punch excision), microneedling, and fillers and/or fat injections. Fractional radiofrequency-based treatments have been used to improve acne scarring with the ability to treat darker or sensitive skin types.(1)
In retrospect, I understand why dermatologists recommended a very conservative approach. Initial cases of scarring using dermabrasion on patients with recent isotretinoin exposure, reported in the 1980s, utilized either a wire brush or diamond fraise, either individually or in combination. It was probably the report by Rubenstein et al, in which 6 patients underwent dermabrasion while on or having recently completed isotretinoin therapy, developed keloids in atypical locations; the keloids eventually responded to topical or intralesional steroid therapy. It was presumed that retinoids had a modulatory effect on connective tissue metabolism, including suppression of collagenase, which may have enhanced keloid formation. Hence, the recommendation that dermabrasion should be delayed in those patients taking or recently on isotretinoin therapy. (2) Interestingly, Roenigk (the second author in the Rubenstein paper) et al, reported a group of 9 patients with severe nodulocystic acne vulgaris who were treated with successfully with isotretinoin. During or after retinoid therapy, all patients underwent full-face dermabrasion. Post-operative healing was normal, and no significant complications were seen. In an addendum, however, Dr. Roenigk noted that two additional patients developed unusual keloids of the face following dermabrasion after recent therapy with isotretinoin. (3) I am speculating that these 2 patients were included in the manuscript by Rubenstein et al.
The dogma of delaying surgery in isotretinoin patients became entrenched. Only recently has this assumption been challenged. Ungarelli et al, in their review of the literature, found that most animal experimental models suggested that isotretinoin at doses commonly used to treat acne is not detrimental to wound healing. (4) In an illustrative case, a 19 year-old man, who had been on isotretinoin for 4 months, had 3 lower back sites treated with laser — one with a nonablative fractional laser, another with an ablative laser, and the third with a full ablative laser. At his 6-month follow-up the first two treatment sites appeared normal, but a scar was noted at the full ablative laser site. This report suggested that the use of fractional lasers could be safely used in patients taking isotretinoin. (5)
Talkachjov et al reported on 369 patients exposed to isotretinoin; patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of isotretinoin exposure: exposed to isotretinoin within 2 years before surgery, exposed to isotretinoin >2 years before surgery, acne severe enough for mention of but never treated with isotretinoin. All underwent surgery (ranging from double mastectomy, tonsillectomy, tooth extraction, and others). Based on a retrospective record review, wound healing did not differ between the groups, nor was there any abnormal scarring. (6)
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Guidelines Task Force developed recommendations on the use of surgical modalities during and after isotretinoin use, based on an exhaustive review of the literature, and a consensus Delphi process. “The task force concluded that there is insufficient evidence to justify delaying treatment with superficial chemical peels and nonablative lasers, including hair removal lasers and lights, vascular lasers, and nonablative fractional devices for patients currently or recently exposed to isotretinoin. Superficial and focal dermabrasion may also be safe when performed by a well-trained clinician.” (7) It should be noted in another evidence-based review, Spring et al reach similar conclusions, although mechanical dermabrasion and fully ablative laser procedures are not recommended in the setting of isotretinoin use at this time. (8)
I will no longer adamantly advise delaying indicated procedures that may be beneficial for patients while they are on, or have recently completed, their course of isotretinoin. Despite that admonition, I think it may be prudent for some patients to be reasonably certain that their acne is in remission, which may not happen until (or months after) their course of isotretinoin is complete. The overarching lesson is that our patients and we should not be scarred by dogma based on preliminary reports of adverse reactions to any new procedure or medication. Careful analysis over time should prevail.
1. Kroepf L, Emer JJ. Combination therapy for acne scarring: Personal experience and clinical suggestions. J Drugs Dermatol 2016; 15: 1413-9.
2. Rubenstein R, et al. Atypical keloids after dermabrasion of patients taking isotretinoin. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986; 15 (2 Pt 1): 280-5.
3. Roenigk HH, Jr et al. Acne, retinoids, and dermabrasion. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1985; 11: 396-8.
4. Ungarelli LF, et al. Is it safe to operate on patients taking isotretinoin? Aesth Plast Surg 2016: 40: 139-48.
5. Khatri KA, et al. Laser skin resurfacing during isotretinoin therapy. Dermatol Surg 2015; 41: 758-9.
6. Tolkachjov SN, et al. Surgical outcomes of patients on isotretinoin in the perioperative period: A single-center, retrospective analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017; 77: 159-61.
7. Waldman A, et al. ASDS Guidelines Task Force: Consensus recommendations regarding the safety of lasers, dermabrasion, chemical peels, energy devices, and skin surgery during and after isotretinoin use. Dermatol Surg 2017 May 10 [Epub ahead of print].
8. Spring LK, et al. Isotretinoin and timing of procedural interventions: A systematic review with consensus recommendations. JAMA Dermatol 2017; 153: 802-9
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