Grants Funded
ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.
Research Abstracts
Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.
Micro-Coring Technology for Hypertrophic Scars: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Principal Investigator
Katherine Carruthers MD
Katherine Carruthers MD
Year
2025
2025
Institution
Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General)
Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General)
Funding Mechanism
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Research Grant
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Research Grant
Focus Area
Wounds / Scar, Technology Based
Wounds / Scar, Technology Based
Abstract
Project Summary
Hypertrophic scars (HS) remain one of the most challenging unsolved problems in plastic surgery, affecting tens of millions of individuals annually worldwide, and with significant aesthetic, functional, psychosocial and socioeconomic burdens. Patients
undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy are at a heightened risk due to high-tension incisions across the anterior chest wall and the relatively younger age demographic. Current non-surgical treatment options include intralesional corticosteroid, lasers, silicone,
chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. However, these are limited in terms of efficacy and/or risk of adverse effects. The absence of optimal HS treatment options represents a significant clinical care gap. Micro-coring, a novel, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation technology, may offer an innovative solution for HS treatment. The technology uses hollow needles to remove full-thickness skin cores smaller than the threshold known to cause scarring. Previous studies have shown micro-coring to promote epidermal regeneration and dermal remodeling. Our recent findings showed significant skin tightening (reduced skin surface area of treated
region) and improvement in skin quality following micro-coring for facial aging, suggesting the technology's unexplored potential for HS treatment. Additionally, micro-coring may improve the delivery, dermal bioavailability and thus effectiveness of topical 5-FU. Combining micro-coring's tissue-removal and remodeling capabilities with 5-FU's antifibrotic effects may offer an innovative dualmodality approach to improve HS outcomes, challenging current treatment paradigms. This study aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial using a split-scar model to evaluate the safety and efficacy of micro-coring technology and micro-coring-assisted 5-FU delivery compared to intralesional corticosteroids and no treatment for HS following gender-affirming mastectomy. Outcomes will
include (1) objective HS appearance using 3D imaging and validated scales, (2) patient-reported HS appearance, symptoms, satisfaction, and psychosocial impact using validated surveys, and (3) adverse effects. Discoveries from this study will provide critical insights into the structural, biological and clinical effects of micro-coring on HS. Preliminary results will be used to apply for further funding to conduct a larger, dose-ranging randomized controlled trial to develop the most effective micro-coring technology for effective HS treatment.
Impact Statement
This study aims above all to improve the care of patients with hypertrophic scars (HS). Investigating the effects of micro-coring and micro-coring-assisted 5-FU delivery in comparison to current research and clinical practices may not only deepen our understanding of scar pathophysiology, but may also potentially revolutionize HS treatment paradigms. Such discoveries and advances will offer new hope to millions worldwide, including marginalized and high-risk patient populations, such as those undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy. This research will provide critical insight for the optimization of innovative technology-based approaches for the
effective treatment of HS and other skin conditions.
Project Summary
Hypertrophic scars (HS) remain one of the most challenging unsolved problems in plastic surgery, affecting tens of millions of individuals annually worldwide, and with significant aesthetic, functional, psychosocial and socioeconomic burdens. Patients
undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy are at a heightened risk due to high-tension incisions across the anterior chest wall and the relatively younger age demographic. Current non-surgical treatment options include intralesional corticosteroid, lasers, silicone,
chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. However, these are limited in terms of efficacy and/or risk of adverse effects. The absence of optimal HS treatment options represents a significant clinical care gap. Micro-coring, a novel, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation technology, may offer an innovative solution for HS treatment. The technology uses hollow needles to remove full-thickness skin cores smaller than the threshold known to cause scarring. Previous studies have shown micro-coring to promote epidermal regeneration and dermal remodeling. Our recent findings showed significant skin tightening (reduced skin surface area of treated
region) and improvement in skin quality following micro-coring for facial aging, suggesting the technology's unexplored potential for HS treatment. Additionally, micro-coring may improve the delivery, dermal bioavailability and thus effectiveness of topical 5-FU. Combining micro-coring's tissue-removal and remodeling capabilities with 5-FU's antifibrotic effects may offer an innovative dualmodality approach to improve HS outcomes, challenging current treatment paradigms. This study aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial using a split-scar model to evaluate the safety and efficacy of micro-coring technology and micro-coring-assisted 5-FU delivery compared to intralesional corticosteroids and no treatment for HS following gender-affirming mastectomy. Outcomes will
include (1) objective HS appearance using 3D imaging and validated scales, (2) patient-reported HS appearance, symptoms, satisfaction, and psychosocial impact using validated surveys, and (3) adverse effects. Discoveries from this study will provide critical insights into the structural, biological and clinical effects of micro-coring on HS. Preliminary results will be used to apply for further funding to conduct a larger, dose-ranging randomized controlled trial to develop the most effective micro-coring technology for effective HS treatment.
Impact Statement
This study aims above all to improve the care of patients with hypertrophic scars (HS). Investigating the effects of micro-coring and micro-coring-assisted 5-FU delivery in comparison to current research and clinical practices may not only deepen our understanding of scar pathophysiology, but may also potentially revolutionize HS treatment paradigms. Such discoveries and advances will offer new hope to millions worldwide, including marginalized and high-risk patient populations, such as those undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy. This research will provide critical insight for the optimization of innovative technology-based approaches for the
effective treatment of HS and other skin conditions.
Biography
Dr. Carruthers earned her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She then earned both her master’s degree and medical degree at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. Dr. Carruthers subsequently matched into residency at West Virginia University where she completed both her clinical internship in orthopedic surgery and her clinical residency in plastic
surgery. Dr. Carruthers recently completed her fellowship in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Since joining the MGH faculty in July of 2023, Dr. Carruthers has already established and maintained a busy clinical practice and a rigorous clinical and basic science investigatory program. Throughout her career, Dr. Carruthers has honed
excellent clinical and operative skills and is proud to provide high quality care to her patients and their families. She routinely coordinates multidisciplinary care for breast cancer patients with the MGH Breast Center and works closely with the MGH Transgender Health Program to offer gender-affirming surgical care to both adolescents and adults. Through her continued lecturing at local, regional, national, and international meetings, her ongoing written works, including peer reviewed original research, topical reviews of the literature, and book chapters, and her sustained involvement with professional societies, her ultimate goal is to improve the care of plastic surgical patients.
Dr. Carruthers earned her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She then earned both her master’s degree and medical degree at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. Dr. Carruthers subsequently matched into residency at West Virginia University where she completed both her clinical internship in orthopedic surgery and her clinical residency in plastic
surgery. Dr. Carruthers recently completed her fellowship in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Since joining the MGH faculty in July of 2023, Dr. Carruthers has already established and maintained a busy clinical practice and a rigorous clinical and basic science investigatory program. Throughout her career, Dr. Carruthers has honed
excellent clinical and operative skills and is proud to provide high quality care to her patients and their families. She routinely coordinates multidisciplinary care for breast cancer patients with the MGH Breast Center and works closely with the MGH Transgender Health Program to offer gender-affirming surgical care to both adolescents and adults. Through her continued lecturing at local, regional, national, and international meetings, her ongoing written works, including peer reviewed original research, topical reviews of the literature, and book chapters, and her sustained involvement with professional societies, her ultimate goal is to improve the care of plastic surgical patients.