Retrospective analysis of earlobe keloids treated with the carbon dioxide laser ablation or cold steel debulking surgery

Abstract

Background: Treatment of keloids is a therapeutic challenge. Objectives: To determine the outcome and the risk of recurrence after debulking cold steel surgery or carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser ablation of earlobe keloids. Material and methods: The case records of 16 patients with earlobe keloids managed at Changi General Hospital, Singapore, from 2003 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Fourteen patients were females, and the mean age at presentation was 20 years. Eight patients underwent CO₂ laser ablation, six patients underwent cold steel surgery, one patient underwent both surgery and CO₂ laser ablation, and one patient received only 40 mg/ml of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide. Fourteen patients were followed up for 1–24 months post procedure, and two patients defaulted. Both modalities were equally effective in debulking the earlobe keloids. All 13 patients who had either CO₂ laser ablation or cold steel surgery had recurrence of keloid growth at 2–18 weeks post procedure. The patient who received intralesional triamcinolone acetonide therapy alone had only partial response to the therapy. Conclusions: Both the CO₂ laser ablation and cold steel surgery were equally useful in reducing the size of the earlobe keloids, but were not effective in preventing regrowth of the keloids, even with adjunctive intralesional steroids. Patients should be clearly counselled regarding this.     

Failure of pulsed dye laser therapy for resistant verrucae

Treatment with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser was performed in seven patients with viral warts (six with plantar warts and one with a periungual wart) who had tailed to respond to conventional therapeutic modalities, including keratolytics, formalin soaks, cryotherapy, curettage, CO₂ laser and systemic retinoids. Each patient was assessed and treated on six occasions, separated by intervals of 3 weeks, with fluences of 8.5–9.5 J/cm². Final follow-up was performed 3 weeks after the final treatment. All patients showed some decrease in the thickness of their warts, this being of a small degree in five of the patients. In the remaining two, there was a moderate reduction in both thickness and wart size. None of the patients experienced complete resolution of their lesions. Symptomatic improvement was obtained in all three patients who had previously complained of pain. These data indicate that treatment of resistant viral verrucae of the periungual and plantar skin with the pulsed dye laser is not curative although partial resolution and symptomatic improvement may occur.     

Comparison of two wound dressings after laser skin resurfacing.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the final outcome of laser resurfacing still depends to a large degree on the efficiency of the post laser resurfacing wound care in promoting wound healing and preventing early and late complications. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare a new hydrocolloid dressing, H2460, with Flexzan(TM) for healing of an acute wound after laser skin resurfacing (LSR). METHODS: Ten volunteers received LSR of the peri-orbital area with an erbium:YAG laser. Identical parameters were used on both sides: 2 J, 5 mm spot, 8 Hz, 300 micros pulse, two passes on the upper eyelids, four passes on the lower eyelids and six passes on the crow's feet area. Soon after the LSR, one side was covered with Flexzan dressing and the other side was covered with a new hydrocolloid dressing -- H2460. The side of the dressing was randomized by alternating both dressings. All volunteers were evaluated and digitally photographed every day for a week and at 1 month after LSR. The degree of erythema, swelling, bleeding, oozing, crusting, pigmentary changes, scarring, discomfort, itching, burning, ease of application of dressings, initial adhesion, overall adhesion, leakage of fluid, maceration of surrounding skin, ease of removal and adhesive residue upon removal were documented. RESULTS: In all volunteer and investigator's evaluations, the new dressing, H2460, achieved far better results than Flexzan in each category. After a 1-week follow-up all volunteers and the investigator evaluated the H2460 side as: healed better, simple to use, and caused less discomfort in 10 out of 10 volunteers. The blinded observer's assessment showed that the Flexzan side healed better in one volunteer. CONCLUSION: The new dressing, H2460, is a better and suitable alternative to Flexzan as a post LSR dressing.     

长脉宽1064 nm Nd:YAG激光治疗女性黄褐斑的Split-face模式观察

目的运用Split-face模式探讨长脉宽1 064 nm Nd:YAG激光治疗女性黄褐斑的有效性和安全性。方法选取24例双侧面部皮损对称的女性黄褐斑患者,固定选择右侧面部进行长脉宽1 064 nm Nd:YAG激光治疗5次,所有患者每次激光治疗前及末次治疗后第4、第8周均行MASI评分、VISIA皮肤图像分析、CK无创皮肤检测和反式共聚焦显微镜(RCM)检查,并记录治疗和随访期间出现的相关不良反应。结果 MASI评分、RCM总分、VISIA绝对分值及CK的血红蛋白、黑色素值均显示,首次治疗前治疗侧和对照侧差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);末次治疗后4周治疗侧分值较对照侧低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗侧末次治疗后4周分值较首次治疗前低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);不管是根据Fitzpatrick皮肤分型,还是伍氏灯和玻片压诊分型,各型患者疗效与复发率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。所有患者无明显不良反应发生。结论长脉宽1 064 nm Nd:YAG激光治疗女性黄褐斑安全、有效。     

Photorejuvenation using intense pulsed light: my technique

Background. It has been reported that the final outcome of laser resurfacing still depends to a large degree on the efficiency of the post laser resurfacing wound care in promoting wound healing and preventing early and late complications.

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare a new hydrocolloid dressing, H2460, with Flexzan^TM for healing of an acute wound after laser skin resurfacing (LSR).

Methods. Ten volunteers received LSR of the peri‐orbital area with an erbium:YAG laser. Identical parameters were used on both sides: 2 J, 5 mm spot, 8 Hz, 300 µs pulse, two passes on the upper eyelids, four passes on the lower eyelids and six passes on the crow's feet area. Soon after the LSR, one side was covered with Flexzan dressing and the other side was covered with a new hydrocolloid dressing – H2460. The side of the dressing was randomized by alternating both dressings. All volunteers were evaluated and digitally photographed every day for a week and at 1 month after LSR. The degree of erythema, swelling, bleeding, oozing, crusting, pigmentary changes, scarring, discomfort, itching, burning, ease of application of dressings, initial adhesion, overall adhesion, leakage of fluid, maceration of surrounding skin, ease of removal and adhesive residue upon removal were documented.

Results. In all volunteer and investigator's evaluations, the new dressing, H2460, achieved far better results than Flexzan in each category. After a 1‐week follow‐up all volunteers and the investigator evaluated the H2460 side as: healed better, simple to use, and caused less discomfort in 10 out of 10 volunteers. The blinded observer's assessment showed that the Flexzan side healed better in one volunteer.

Conclusion. The new dressing, H2460, is a better and suitable alternative to Flexzan as a post LSR dressing.     

Subdermal Coagulation Treatment of Axillary Bromhidrosis by 1,444 nm Nd:YAG Laser: A Comparison with Surgical Treatment

Bromhidrosis is a disease presenting as malodor caused by interaction between the discharge of apocrine glands and bacteria. The main therapeutic modalities are applying topical agents, liposuction surgery, and elective surgery. Among these, elective surgery is reported to be most effective. However, the efficiency largely depends on surgical technique. Additionally, other side effects, such as hematoma and scarring, are occasionally reported. Currently, CO₂ laser and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser therapy are used, but as the wavelength is not specific to apocrine glands, these laser therapies have certain limitations. Recently, a 1,444 nm wavelength Accusculpt™ laser (LutronicCorp., Seoul, Korea) has been developed which is now commonly used for facial fat plasty and laser liposuction therapy. The use of this laser for bromhidrosis therapy targeting apocrine sweat glands is currently being discussed. Still, no studies on practical clinical use and side effects of this 1,444 nm wavelength laser have been published. In this report, we treated one bromhidrosis patient with 1,444 nm wavelength Accusculpt™ laser therapy on one side while conventional surgery was performed on the other side using a modified Inaba''s method. We compared the efficacy of this laser therapy to the surgical modality by measuring malodor severity and overall satisfaction by questionnaire. We also checked for other complications and recurrence for 12 months after the treatment. This patient was largely satisfied as it has a much shorter down time with the same therapeutic outcome. As subdermal coagulation treatment by 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser may be less invasive but effective therapy, we would like to recommend this modality as a possible treatment option.     

Combination of laser-therapy with 0.5% idoxuridine cream in the treatment of therapy-resistant genital warts in male patients: an open study

Forty heterosexual male patients with therapy resistant penile warts of long duration (mean 12.9 months) were treated with carbon dioxide laser, immediately followed by topical application of 0.5% idoxuridine cream twice daily for 14 days. In case of incomplete or no response to the initial treatment, the treatment procedure was repeated once. All patients had previously been repeatedly treated with podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution and/or carbon dioxide laser surgery. After two weeks of treatment, 32 patients (80%) were completely healed. The remaining eight patients were retreated and four weeks after the start of the study 35 patients (87.5%) showed complete response. Three months after the study had been initiated 34 patients (85%) were still completely healed. No adverse reactions were observed. It was concluded that laser surgery followed by topical application of 0.5% idoxuridine cream for two to four weeks seems to be highly effective in the treatment of longstanding, therapy-resistant genital warts in men. Because of the uncontrolled nature of the present study and the relatively small number of patients treated, it would be important to carry out controlled studies in larger study populations and to carry out a follow-up examination of at least six months after treatment.     

Treatment of inflammatory facial acne vulgaris: Comparison of the 1450‐nm diode laser and conventional physical treatment

The efficacy of the 1450‐nm diode laser in the treatment of inflammatory facial acne was evaluated by comparing it with conventional physical treatment. Seventeen patients received laser treatment on the right side of the face and conventional physical treatment on the other side. The two modalities were compared through photographs, inflammatory acne lesion counts, and a patient questionnaire. Clinical response was evaluated in 16 patients. Evaluation of baseline and follow‐up photographs indicated that more improvement was obtained after laser treatment than by physical treatment in six patients. In two patients, physical treatment yielded better results than laser treatment. Equal effect was obtained in eight patients. All patients had a reduction in the inflammatory acne lesion count on the laser‐treated side, which was statistically significantly greater on the laser‐treated side compared with the side treated physically (p = 0.039, Wilcoxon signed ranks test). By the assessment of patient satisfaction, seven patients preferred laser treatment, two patients preferred physical treatment and three patients found laser treatment equal to physical treatment. Questionnaire details could not be obtained in 4 patients. This study indicates that the 1450‐nm diode laser is a new option for local treatment of acne.     

Early treatment using fractional CO2 laser before skin suture during scar revision surgery in Asians

Fractional CO₂ laser is one of the most effective treatment options used to resurface scars. However, most previous studies have been performed on mature scars at least 2 months after surgery. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of early treatment to reduce scar formation. In the present study, we described our experience with fractional CO₂ laser intervention before skin suture during scar revision surgery in Asians, and found the treatment was safe and effective.     

Treatment of Striae Distensae with Nonablative Fractional Laser versus Ablative CO2 Fractional Laser: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Striae distensae are atrophic dermal scars with overlying epidermal atrophy causing significant cosmetic concern. Although a variety of laser and light sources have been used for the treatment of striae distensae, to date no definite ''gold standard'' treatment modality has been determined.

Objective

To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of nonablative fractional photothermolysis and ablative CO₂ fractional laser resurfacing in the treatment of striae distensae.

Methods

Twenty-four ethnic South Korean patients with varying degrees of atrophic striae alba in the abdomen were enrolled in a randomized blind split study. The patients were treated with 1,550 nm fractional Er:Glass laser and ablative fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing. Each half of the abdominal lesion was randomly selected and treated three times at intervals of 4-weeks using the same parameters. Digital photography was conducted and skin elasticity and the width of the widest striae in each subject were measured at the baseline and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment clinical photographs by two blinded physicians and participant satisfaction rates were evaluated. Skin biopsies were taken from three participants. All adverse effects were reported during the study.

Results

Although they do not statistically differ, both treatments with nonablative fractional laser and ablative CO₂ fractional laser showed a significant clinical and histopathologic improvement of striae distensae over pretreatment sites.

Conclusion

These results support the use of nonablative fractional laser and ablative CO₂ fractional laser as effective and safe treatment modalities for striae distensae of Asian skin. However, neither treatment showed any greater clinical improvement than the other treatment.     

Surgical reconstruction of pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury individuals: A single- or two-stage approach?

IntroductionThere are two surgical approaches to reconstruct a pressure ulcer (PU): one-stage reconstruction or two-stage reconstruction. One stage reconstruction consists of surgical debridement and flap reconstruction during one operation. Two-stage surgery consist of a surgical debridement and a final reconstruction in two different sessions, with approximately six weeks between both sessions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the results of single stage surgery and two-stage surgery on the PU recurrence rate and other important post operative complications.MethodA retrospective, comparative study in Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) individuals with a single- or two stage surgical reconstruction between 2005 and 2016 was designed. A total of 81 records were included for analysis.ResultsThe primary outcome, the difference in occurrence of a recurrent PU in the reconstructed area (33.3% versus 31.6%), is not statistically significant between one-and two-stages reconstruction. Also, the mean duration to develop a recurrent PU between both surgical reconstructions is not statistically significant.Other surgical complications in the reconstructed area like wound hematoma, hemorrhage, seroma or (partial) flap failure did not differ significantly between both groups, apart and in total.We calculated the additional costs in case of a two-stage approach compared with a single-stage reconstruction at EUR 16,362.ConclusionsThere are no statistical significant differences in PU recurrence rate or other post operative complications between SCI patients who have undergone one- or two stage PU reconstructive surgery.The most obvious choice for a one-stage approach in case of PU reconstructive surgery has great positive implications for the patient, family, health care providers and the health care system.     

The efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser combined with terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream for the treatment of onychomycosis

Background: Although systemic and topical antifungal agents are widely used to treat onychomycosis, oral medications can cause adverse effects and the efficacy of topical agents is not satisfying. Currently, laser treatment has been studied for its efficacy in the treatment of onychomycosis. Our study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser treatment combined with terbinafine cream for 6 months in the treatment of onychomycosis and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods: A total of 30 participants (124 nails) with clinical and mycological diagnosis of onychomycosis received fractional CO₂ laser treatment at 2-week interval combined with terbinafine cream once daily for 6 months. The clinical efficacy rate (CER) was assessed from the percentage of fully normal-appearing nails or nails with ≤5% abnormal appearance, and the mycological clearance rate (MCR) was assessed from the percentage of nails with negative fungal microscopy. Results: The CER was evaluated at 3 time points: at the end of treatment (58.9%), at 1 month after the last treatment (63.5%), and at 3 months after the last treatment (68.5%). The MCRs at 1 month and 3 months after the last treatment were 77.4 and 74.2%, respectively. The evaluation of influencing factors showed significantly higher CER (p < 0.05) in nails of participants with age <50 years, distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO), superficial white onychomycosis (SWO), nail thickness <2 mm, affected first-to-fourth finger/toenails, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. All participants experienced tolerable mild burning sensation during laser treatment, but there were no other adverse reactions reported. Conclusions: Fractional CO₂ laser treatment combined with terbinafine cream for 6 months was an effective and safe method for the treatment of onychomycosis. There were 5 factors that positively influenced the treatment outcome: age, clinical type of onychomycosis, nail thickness, involved nail, and species of fungus.     

Treatment of acne scarring with fractional CO2 laser

Abstract

Background: Fractional ablative CO₂ laser therapy is based on the theory of fractional photothermolysis. It can be effective in treating acne scars in a less invasive fashion than conventional ablative CO₂ laser therapy. Objective: In this clinical study, the safety and efficacy of a novel CO₂ fractional ablative laser was investigated for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scarring in Chinese individuals. Materials and methods: A total of 31 patients (11 females, 20 males, Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III–IV) with facial acne scarring received three sequential fractional treatments over a 6-month period. Outcome measurements included blinded evaluations of before and after photographs by two physicians at 3 and 12 months after the final treatment. Global improvement was noted as well as any untoward events. Results: At the 12 months follow-up time period, 12.9% of the patients showed excellent improvement in their acne scars, while 38.71% noted good to fair results. The clinical response at the 12-month follow-up visit tended to be better than at the 3-month follow-up visit, but was not statistically significant. Four patients experienced post-treatment and transient PIH but three patients were noted to have prolonged erythema. There was no evidence hypopigmentation or worsening of the scarring in any of the study patients. Conclusion: This high-energy pulsed and cool-scanned fractional ablative CO₂ laser system is safe and effective for facial atrophic acne scarring. Improvement in scarring was noted in the majority of patients with minimal discomfort and minimal downtime. Continued improvement over time is also an important clinical finding.     

铥激光联合膀胱软镜治疗高危前列腺增生合并膀胱憩室结石疗效观察

目的:探讨铥激光联合膀胱软镜治疗高危前列腺增生症合并膀胱憩室结石的疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性分析我科2011年1月至2015年7月收治的22例高危前列腺增生症合并膀胱憩室结石患者临床资料,所有病例均首先使用膀胱软镜行憩室检查并行软镜下铥激光碎石术,碎石完成后,撤出软镜,膀胱硬镜下铥激光汽化切除增生前列腺组织。分别统计碎石时间及总手术时间,观察术中、术后并发症发生情况。统计患者术前国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、生活质量评分(QOL)、最大尿流率(Q_(max))、膀胱残尿量(PVR)并于术后6个月进行随访。结果:22例患者均手术成功,无明显术中、术后并发症发生,平均碎石时间20.3min,手术总体时间平均98min,术后4d拔除尿管,患者均排尿畅,无尿失禁。术后6个月随访,IPSS评分由术前(26.30±3.12)分降至(8.11±3.43)分,QOL评分由术前(7.55±3.15)分降至(1.74±0.93)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);Q_(max)由术前(7.22±2.63)mL/s增至术后(14.84±1.56)mL/s,PVR由术前(21.71±6.51)mL降至术后(5.26±7.81)mL,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:应用铥激光联合膀胱软镜治疗合并膀胱憩室结石的高危前列腺增生患者使手术效率提高,更加安全,值得进一步推广。     

香菇菌多糖联合5%咪喹莫特乳膏预防尖锐湿疣CO_2激光术后复发的疗效观察

目的观察CO2激光去除疣体后,联合应用全身及局部免疫调节剂香菇菌多糖和5%咪喹莫特乳膏预防尖锐湿疣复发的疗效。方法将患者按就诊先后随机分为三组,先用CO2激光去除疣体后:A组给予口服香菇菌多糖片10mg,3次/d;待创面愈合后,同时给予5%咪喹莫特乳膏外用,每周二、四、六晚涂药3次。B组单纯给予5%咪喹莫特乳膏外用。C组单纯给予口服香菇菌多糖片。用法及用量同A组。3组疗程均为8周。观察复发情况及不良反应,12周后进行复发率比较。结果 2周后A,B,C3组的复发率分别为10.42%,30.00%,33.33%。A组复发率明显低于B,C组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。结论联合应用免疫调节剂香菇菌多糖和5%咪喹莫特乳膏预防尖锐湿疣复发疗效好,复发率低。     

308nm准分子激光治疗白癜风临床研究

目的 探讨308nm准分子激光治疗稳定期白癜风的疗效及不良反应.方法 以自身未治疗皮损作为对照,采用Xtrac颠峰准分子激光系统对75例白癜风患者不同部位的皮损进行为期6周的治疗观察,每周2次,共12次,最后1次治疗结束后3d进行疗效评价并对其相关因素进行分析.结果 治疗的皮损6例痊愈,33例显效,30例好转,6例无效,显效率为52.0%,有效率为92.0%;未治疗的皮损均未出现明显变化.治疗反应的影响因素分析,面颈部优于躯干四肢,躯干四肢优于肢端关节处.结论 308nm准分子激光治疗稳定期白癜风疗效高、不良反应少,其疗效与皮损解剖部位相关.     

Cryogen spray cooling in combination with nonablative laser treatment of facial rhytides.

BACKGROUND: Cryogen spray cooling can be used to provide epidermal protection while still achieving spatially selective photocoagulation in the upper dermis. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of cryogen spray cooling in combination with a nonablative Nd:YAG (lambda = 1320 nm) laser treatment of facial rhytides in human volunteers. OBSERVATIONS: Thirty-five adults with bilateral periorbital rhytides were treated with cryogen spray cooling in combination with 3 nonablative laser treatments performed sequentially at intervals of 2 weeks. Small but statistically significant improvements were noted in the mild, moderate, and severe rhytid groups 12 weeks after the final laser treatment. A final assessment performed 24 weeks after the last treatment showed statistically significant improvement only in the severe rhytid group. The procedure was found to be safe; 4 sites (5.6%) developed transient hyperpigmentation. Two sites (2.8%) subsequently developed barely perceptible pinpoint pitted scars. CONCLUSIONS: Cryogen spray cooling is a safe and effective method for protecting the epidermis during nonablative laser treatment of facial rhytides thereby avoiding much of the morbidity associated with other resurfacing procedures. Minor improvements in rhytides can be achieved with the current technology. Optimization of treatment parameters may further improve these results.