Electrocautery vs Q-switch for Seborrheic Keratosis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and risk of adverse events of electrocautery versus 532 nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of flat seborrheic keratoses. This study is a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of these procedures.

Official Title
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Comparing the Efficacy and Risk of Adverse Events of Electrocautery Versus 532 nm Qswitched Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser for the Treatment of Flat Seborrheic Keratoses: A Randomized Control Trial

Conditions
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Keratosis, Seborrheic

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Hyfrecator
* Device: 532 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Subjects are Caucasian or Asian. Subjects who are between 18-65 year olds. Subjects have flat or macular seborrheic keratosis on dorsum of the hands and wrists, extensor surfaces of the forearms. The diagnosis of flat seborrheic keratosis is confirmed by two clinical dermatologists using routine clinical examination and dermoscopy. Subjects have Fitzpatrick skin type I-III. Subjects are in good health. Subjects have the willingness and the ability to understand and provide informed consent and communicate with the investigator. Exclusion Criteria: History of keloids or hypertrophic scars. Pregnant or lactating or intends to become pregnant in the next 3 months. Active skin disease or skin infection in the treatment area. Previous history of lidocaine allergy. History of methemoglobinemia Unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent. Any other condition that would, in the professional opinion of the investigator, potentially affect response or participation in the clinical study or would pose as an unacceptable risk to subject.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: electrocautery<br>Blocks of subjects' lesions will be randomized 1:1 to receive electrocautery or 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Prior to treatment with either electrocautery or 532nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, a topical EMLA cream will be applied to the lesions for at least 60 minutes under occlusion at the area of treatment. | Device: Hyfrecator<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: 532 nm Nd:YAG laser<br>Blocks of subjects' lesions will be randomized 1:1 to receive electrocautery or 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Prior to treatment with either electrocautery or 532nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, a topical EMLA cream will be applied to the lesions for at least 60 minutes under occlusion at the area of treatment. | Device: 532 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Pigmentation from baseline to week 18 | Blinded photo raters will the lesion pigmentation on a scale of -50 (most hypopigmented relative to baseline) to +50 (most hyperpigmented relative to baseline) for both treatments. | Baseline and 18 weeks | 
| Change in lesion texture from baseline to week 18 | Blinded photo raters will the lesion texture on a scale of -50 (most worsening relative to baseline) to +50 (most improvement relative to baseline) for both treatments. | Baseline and 18 weeks |