BACKGROUND: Surgical scarring is a common cosmetic problem that occurs in various surgical fields, including dermatology. Many trials have been conducted to determine how to prevent this distressing scar formation. A 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser has been used to improve the appearance of surgical scars, but an appropriate treatment time has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To determine the appropriate time to apply 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment for thyroidectomy scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Korean patients with linear surgical suture lines after thyroidectomy (N = 65) were treated using a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser. Patients were divided into three groups according to postoperative treatment time. Laser treatment was started in 40, 15, and 10 patients 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. Each patient was treated three times at 1-month intervals using the same parameters (14 mJ, 100 spots/cm(2) , 2 passes). RESULTS: Mean Vancouver Scar Scale scores were significantly lower after laser treatment (p < .01), with the greatest difference in the group that began treatment 3 weeks postoperatively. Global assessment also indicated better cosmetic outcomes in the 3-week postoperative treatment group. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment of thyroidectomy scars is more effective than later treatment.
BACKGROUND: Surgical scarring is a common cosmetic problem that occurs in various surgical fields, including dermatology. Many trials have been conducted to determine how to prevent this distressing scar formation. A 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser has been used to improve the appearance of surgical scars, but an appropriate treatment time has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To determine the appropriate time to apply 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment for thyroidectomy scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Korean patients with linear surgical suture lines after thyroidectomy (N = 65) were treated using a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser. Patients were divided into three groups according to postoperative treatment time. Laser treatment was started in 40, 15, and 10 patients 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. Each patient was treated three times at 1-month intervals using the same parameters (14 mJ, 100 spots/cm(2) , 2 passes). RESULTS: Mean Vancouver Scar Scale scores were significantly lower after laser treatment (p < .01), with the greatest difference in the group that began treatment 3 weeks postoperatively. Global assessment also indicated better cosmetic outcomes in the 3-week postoperative treatment group. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment of thyroidectomy scars is more effective than later treatment.
Authors: Ji Min Ha; Han Su Kim; Eun Byul Cho; Gyeong Hun Park; Eun Joo Park; Kwang Ho Kim; Lee Su Kim; Kwang Joong Kim Journal: Ann Dermatol Date: 2014-09-26 Impact factor: 1.444