At Scarless – The Clinic all new and evolving treatments are evaluated with ongoing research projects. Patients can inquire with staff about ongoing studies and how to participate in these if of interest.

Leading Researcher in Reconstructive Surgery & Burn Scar Management

Research

Dr. Issler-Fisher’s research spans multiple critical areas in burn and reconstructive surgery, focusing on:

Key Research Areas

1
Advanced laser therapy for scar modulation
2
Biomechanics & kinetic chain influencesin scar formation
4
Optimised treatment algorithms for reconstructive burn surgery
3
Molecular and genetic approaches to burn scar regeneration

Dr. Fisher has authored 32 peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 book chapters, and numerous conference presentations. Her work has been widely cited, with over 1,100 citations.

Publications & Book Chapters

Journal Publications
Swallowing impairment in older persons following burn injury: Validation of incidence and predictive factors for dysphagia. Clayton NA, Nicholls CM, Ohara J, Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Maitz. Burns 2024 July 31. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2024.07.032.
Chemical burns to scalp from hair bleach: a retrospective case series. Noori O, Maitz, PKM, Cha J, Issler-Fisher AC.  Australasian J Plast Surg 7 (2), 2024 June 18. doi.org/10.34239/ajops.88914.
Firework related burn injuries in Australia and New Zealand. Diab J, Diab V, Hopkins Z, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher AC. Burns Open 2024 April. doi.org/10.1016/j.burnso.2024.01.001
The impact of COVID-19 on adult burns: A statewide review of epidemiology and clinical outcomes. Diab J, Pye M, Diab V, Hopkins Z, Cha J, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher AC. Burns 2023 Oct 31:S0305-4179(23)00201-2.
doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2023.10.01
Understanding Neural Factors in Burn-Related Pruritus and Neuropathic Pain. Gunawardena D, Stanley E, Issler-Fisher AC. J Burn Care Res. 2023 Feb 16; irad021.
doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irad021
Fractional ablative laser therapy for the treatment of severe burn scars: A pilot study of the underlying mechanisms. Ross SW, Malcolm J, Maitz J, Li Z, Wang Y, Issler-Fisher AC. Burns. 2023 Jan 2:S0305-4179(22)00338-2.
doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.12.017. Online ahead of print.PMID: 36642662
Skin 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme expression regulates burn wound healing and can be targeted to modify scar characteristics. Tsai KHY, Shi H, Parungao RJ, Naficy S, Ding X, Ding X, Hew JJ, Wang X, Chrzanowski W, Lavery GG, Li Z, Issler-Fisher AC, Chen J, Tan Q, Maitz PK, Cooper MS, Wang Y. Burns Trauma. 2023 Jan 20;11:tkac052.
doi.org/10.1093/burnst/tkac052 eCollection 2023.


Cold Burns as a result of Cosmetic Cryolipolysis: A Case Series from the NSW Statewide Burns Service. Barry NP, Jackson SR, D’Jamirze A, Gates RJ, Maitz P, Issler-Fisher AC. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 Jan;76:289-291. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2022.10.053 Epub 2022 Nov 2.


Alginate dressings continuously for fourteen days on uncontaminated, superficial, partial thickness burns. Stynes G, Haertsch P, O'Hara J, Knight R, Issler-Fisher AC, Maitz PKM. J Burn Care Res. 2022 Oct 1:irac143. doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irac143 Online ahead of print. PMID: 36181757

The importance of biomechanics and the kinetic chains of human movement in the development and treatment of burn scars – A narrative review with illustrative cases.  Issler-Fisher AC. Burns. 2023 May;49(3):707-715. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.08.010. Epub 2022 Aug 28.
Patterns and trends of firework-related adult burns in New South Wales, Australia. Diab J, Hopkins Z, Diab V, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher AC. EJPS 2022, 16 August 2022. doi.org/10.1007/s00238-022-01988-5
Response to the letter to the editor: Efficacy and safety of ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of burn scars: A case-control study. Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Haertsch PA, Li Z, Maitz PKM. Burns. 2022 Mar;48(2):468-469. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2021.08.003. Epub 2021 Aug 8. PMID: 34893372
Exploding power: statewide review of lithium battery related burns. Diab J, Issler-Fisher AC, Holland AJA, Gates R, La Hei E, Vandervord J, O’Hara J, Maitz PKM, Australasian J Plastic Surgery 2021. 30 Sept 2021. doi.org/10.34239/ajops.v4n2.247
Management of foot burns with an emphasis on high-risk groups. Diab J, Pye M, Parker C, O’Hara J, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher AC. Aust J Gen Pract. 2021 Sep;50(9):641-646. doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-07-20-5508
Effectiveness and safety of ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of burn scars: a case-control study. Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Haertsch P, Li Z, Maitz. Burns. 2020 Oct 17: S0305-4179(20)30549-0. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2020.10.002
Treatment of partial thickness burns: a prospective, randomised controlled trial comparing Biobrane™, Acticoat™, Mepilex® Ag and Aquacel® Ag. Aggarwala S, Harish V, Roberts S, Brady M, Lajevardi S, Doherty J, D'Souza M, Haertsch P, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher AC. J Burn Care Res. 2020 Sep 15: iraa158. doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/iraa158
Letter to the Editor: Fractional CO2 laser ablation of porcine burn scars after grafting. Issler-Fisher AC, Li Zhe, Maitz PKM. Burns. 2020 Aug 29:S0305-4179(20)30510-6. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2020.07.029
Foot burns: A comparative analysis of diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Diab J, O'Hara J, Pye M, Parker C, Maitz PKM, Issler-Fisher A. Burns 2020 Aug 5. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2020.07.024
SUN-217 Skin Glucocorticoid Metabolism in Burn Injury: Towards Novel Treatments That Reduce Scarring. Hung-Yueh KT, Parungao RJ, Shi H, Issler-Fisher AC, Wang X, Maitz PKM, Cooper MS, Wang Y.
J Endocrine Society. May 2020.
doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvaa046.349
Ventilatory support in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Phan K, Oh LJ, Issler-Fisher A, Rao A, Wong EH, Maitz P. J Dermatolog Treat. 2020 May 28:1-6. doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1770173

Ablative fractional resurfacing with laser-facilitated steroid delivery for burn scar management: Does the depth of laser penetration matter? Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Haertsch P, Li Z, Maitz PKM Lasers Surg Med. 2020 Feb;52(2):149-158. doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23166. Epub 2019 Sep 30
Ablative fractional resurfacing for burn scar management affects the number and type of elective surgical reconstructive procedures, hospital admission patterns as well as length of stay. Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Clayton NA, Aggarwala S, Haertsch PA, Li Z, Maitz PKM. Burns. 2020 Feb;46(1):65-74. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2019.01.004. Epub 2019 Dec 14.
Ablative fractional resurfacing in acute care management of facial burns: a new approach to minimise the need for acute surgical reconstruction. Clayton NA, Haertsch PA, Maitz PK, Issler-Fisher AC. J Burn Care & Research. 2019. Apr 26;40(3):368-372. doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irz030
Dysphagia in Older Persons following Burn Injury: Burn location is irrelevant to risk of dysphagia and its complications in patients over 75 years. Clayton NA, Nicholls CM, Blazquez K, Brownlow C, Maitz PK, Fisher OM, Issler-Fisher AC. Burns. 2018 Dec;44(8):1997-2005. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2018.07.010. Epub 2018 Aug 11
Burn injury: Challenges and advances in burn wound healing, infection, pain and scarring. Wang Y, Beekman J, Hew J, Jackson S, Issler-Fisher AC, Parungao R, Lajevardi SS, Li Z, Maitz PKM. Adv Drug Deliv Rev (ADDR). 2018 Jan 1;123:3-17. doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2017.09.018. Epub 2017 Sep 20
Ablative fractional CO2 laser for burn scar reconstruction: An extensive subjective and objective short-term outcome analysis of a prospective treatment cohort. Issler-Fisher AC, Fisher OM, Smialkowski AO, Li F, van Schalkwyk CP, Haertsch P, Maitz PK. Burns. 2017 May;43(3):573-582. doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.09.014 . Epub 2016 Oct 1

Microbiological findings in burn patients treated in a general versus a designated intensive care unit: Effect on length of stay. Issler-Fisher AC, Fakin RM, Fisher OM, McKew G, Gazzola R, Rauch AK, Gottlieb T, Haertsch P, Guggenheim M, Giovanoli P, Maitz PK. Burns. 2016 Jun 29. pii: S0305-4179(16)30194-2. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.06.019. Epub 2016 Jun 29
Risk factors for, and the effect of MRSA colonization on the clinical outcomes of severely burnt patients. Issler-Fisher AC, McKew G, Fisher OM, Harish V, Gottlieb T, Maitz PK. Burns. 2015 Sep;41(6):1212-20. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2015.03.003. Epub 2015 Jul 4
Response to Letter to the Editor: 'burn surface area calculation instead of burn size estimation: our opinion'. Harish V, Raymond AR, Issler AC, Lajevardi SS, Chang LY, Maitz PK, Kennedy P. Burns. 2014 Dec;40(8):1814. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2014.08.006. Epub 2014 Oct 16
Accuracy of burn size estimation in patients transferred to adult Burn Units in Sydney, Australia: an audit of 698 patients. Harish V, Raymond AR, Issler AC, Lajevardi SS, Chang LY, Maitz PK, Kennedy P. Burns 2015 Feb;41(1):91-9. doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2014.05.005. Epub 2014 Jun 25
Book Chapters
Chapter 53: Clinical Lasers and Burn Scar Management. Issler-Fisher AC, Blome-Eberwein SA, Haertsch PA, Sood R. Total Burn Care (D Herndon, 6th edition) (in print)
Laser modulation of hypertrophic scars: technique and practice. Issler-Fisher AC, Waibel JS, Donelan MB. Clin Plast Surg. 2017 Oct;44(4):757-766. doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2017.05.007. Epub 2017 Jul 21
PhD Thesis (University of Sydney, Australia, 2021)
“Ablative Fractional Resurfacing for Burn Scars & the Impact on Adult Reconstructive Burn Surgery: Exploring the Effects of a Novel Treatment Paradigm” Issler-Fisher AC
Link: Explore
View Academic Profile
Link: Explore

Awards & Research Recognition

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CRGH Research Prizes – Early Career Research Awards (2015 & 2x 2018)
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NSW Premier’s Awards for Improving Service Levels in Hospitals (2017)
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NSW Premier’s Awards: Anthea Kerr Award for Individual Excellence. (Sydney 2017)
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Best Paper & Poster Awards at ANZBA Scientific Forum (2017) and SLHD Research Forum (2017)

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Extraordinary Conference Contribution Medal (ANZBA, 2018)

Dr. Issler-Fisher is a sought-after keynote speaker and educator in the field of scar management & reconstructive surgery with overall 57 oral scientific presentations at national and international conferences, including 16 keynote lectures as an invited speaker.

Scientific Engagements & Presentations

Media & Public Dissemination of Research

Report on Changing Lives
Expert discussion on reconstructive surgery - live interview on breakthrough scar treatments
Cover story on Concord Hospital’s innovations
Expert discussion on reconstructive surgery - live interview on breakthrough scar treatments
Expert discussion on reconstructive surgery - live interview on breakthrough scar treatments
Expert discussion on reconstructive surgery - live interview on breakthrough scar treatments
Live Interview at NSW Premier’s Awards 2017
Report in Studio 10 on Channel 10: Breakthrough Scar Treatment
I work for NSW: trailer
Channel 7 News
Radio Broken Hill
Radio Broken Hill
Radio South East
Radio Southern FM
Sydney Local Health District
Ongoing Trials and Studies at Scarless - The Clinic
For inquiries, collaborations, or academic engagements, please contact
Contact for Research Collaboration
For research inquiries, collaborations, or academic engagements, please contact