Random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin: long-term evaluation

Although numerous papers have recently been published on ablative fractional resurfacing, there is a lack of information in literature on very long-term results. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy, adverse side effects, and long-term results of a random fractional ultrapulsed CO₂ laser on a large population with photodamaged facial skin. Three hundred twelve patients with facial photodamaged skin were enrolled and underwent a single full-face treatment. Six aspects of photodamaged skin were recorded using a 5 point scale at 3, 6, and 24 months after the treatment. The results were compared with a non-parametric statistical test, the Wilcoxon’s exact test. Three hundred one patients completed the study. All analyzed features showed a significant statistical improvement 3 months after the procedure. Three months later all features, except for pigmentations, once again showed a significant statistical improvement. Results after 24 months were similar to those assessed 18 months before. No long-term or other serious complications were observed. From the significant number of patients analyzed, long-term results demonstrate not only how fractional ultrapulsed CO₂ resurfacing can achieve good results on photodamaged facial skin but also how these results can be considered stable 2 years after the procedure.     

Histological evaluation of vertical laser channels from ablative fractional resurfacing: an ex vivo pig skin model

Ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) represents a new treatment potential for various skin conditions and new laser devices are being introduced. It is important to gain information about the impact of laser settings on the dimensions of the created laser channels for obtaining a safe and efficient treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to establish a standard model to document the histological tissue damage profiles after AFR and to test a new laser device at diverse settings. Ex vivo abdominal pig skin was treated with a MedArt 620, prototype fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser (Medart, Hvidovre, Denmark) delivering single microbeams (MB) with a spot size of 165 μm. By using a constant pulse duration of 2 ms, intensities of 1–18 W, single and 2–4 stacked pulses, energies were delivered in a range from 2–144 mJ/MB. Histological evaluations included 3–4 high-quality histological measurements for each laser setting (n = 28). AFR created cone-shaped laser channels. Ablation depths varied from reaching the superficial dermis (2 mJ, median 41 μm) to approaching the subcutaneous fat (144 mJ, median 1,943 μm) and correlated to the applied energy levels in an approximate linear relation (r² = 0.84, p < 0.001). The dermal ablation width increased slightly within the energy range of 4–144 mJ (median 163 μm). The thickness of the coagulation zone reached a plateau around 65 μm at energies levels above 16 mJ. The calculated volumes of ablated tissue increased with increasing energies. We suggest this ex vivo pig skin model to characterize AFR laser channels histologically.     

全膝关节表面置换术的初步体会

目的探讨全膝关节表面置换术治疗膝骨性关节炎的近期疗效。方法采取全膝关节表面置换术治疗6例7膝骨性关节炎。结果6例均获随访,最短随访8个月,最长17个月。HSS评分从术前平均33分提高到术后92分,全部膝关节术后力线正常,其中6膝优,1膝良。结论全膝关节表面置换术是治疗晚期膝关节骨性关节炎理想方法。     

A new modality for fractional CO2 laser resurfacing for acne scars in Asians

Since fractional photothermolysis was first introduced in 2004, it has become a very popular procedure, especially with more and more ablative fractional laser systems and treatments. Fractional ablative laser has been shown to be very effective; however, it does not reach the efficacy of conventional ablative laser treatments in most instances. In an attempt order to make the fractional CO₂ laser treatment more efficacious and safe, we combined both the conventional CO₂ laser and the fractional CO₂ laser to treat acne scars. We report our experience with this new modality. A total of 44 Chinese patients with facial acne scars and skin type IV were included in this study. Each patient received a minimum of two treatment sessions. For each laser session, both the conventional CO₂ laser treatment and the DeepFX laser treatment were focused on treating the scar areas only. Following this technique, the more superficialf ActiveFX fractional CO₂ laser was performed to the entire face. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated 3 months after the final laser treatment. The improvement in acne scars and the overall skin texture change were assessed by photographic evaluation using the following scales: ≤25 % (mild), 26–50 % (moderate), 51–75 % (marked), and >75 % (excellent). Side effects from this therapy were mild to moderate. Two cases of HSV outbreak were noted; they were treated and resolved without adverse sequelae. Post-laser erythema was resolved within 1 month in one half of the patients. Prolonged erythema (≤3 months) was noted in 12(27 %) cases. Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH; ≤1 month) was seen in approximately 50 % of the patients. PIH (≤3 months) was noted in four cases (9 %). Sixty-four percent of the patients (28/44) had an improvement of between 51 and 75 % after more than two sessions of the combination of laser treatments. The average overall improvement was 52.50 % (±12.25 %). Three patients achieved improvement of >75 %. This new modality of ablative conventional CO₂ laser therapy with fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing was shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of acne scars in Asian patients. It did not increase the risk of PIH compared to other reports of laser therapy and PIH. It is the hope that future study with combination therapy will further enhance the clinical results and thus lessen potential adverse events.     

CO2点阵激光治疗面部皮肤光老化的疗效观察

目的 探讨CO2点阵激光治疗面部皮肤光老化的临床疗效.方法 自2008年10月至2010年12月,应用CO2点阵激光技术治疗皮肤老化患者30例,治疗3次为一疗程,每次间隔3个月.治疗后观察并判定其疗效.结果 30例患者经一个疗程治疗后,13(43%)例患者皱纹得到明显改善,评为3～6分;12(40%)例患者皱纹得到改善,评为6～9分;5例(17%)患者皱纹改善不明显,评为3分以下.对所有患者随访6个月,有效率达83%.结论 CO2点阵激光能有效治疗面部皮肤光老化,且安全性高、不良反应少,可将其作为当前面部皮肤年轻化治疗的新方法.     

Atypical mycobacterial infection following blepharoplasty and full-face skin resurfacing with CO2 laser.

BACKGROUND: With the popularity of laser skin resurfacing for the correction of photoaging and the improvement of acne scarring, it is important to note complications that may result from this procedure. Infections must be recognized and treated early, as some can result in permanent local destruction and systemic spread to other body sites. OBJECTIVE: To increase the awareness of an unusual infection that may result from laser resurfacing. METHODS: We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with two symmetrical nodules 1 month after full-face skin resurfacing with CO2 laser. These were found to be abscesses caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum infection. RESULTS: The diagnosis was established following surgical debridement and subsequent culture grown from the exudate. Oral antibiotic treatment guided by organism sensitivity resulted in complete clearance of the infection with no recurrence or sequelae after 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that atypical mycobacterial infections may arise after laser resurfacing procedures, despite proper technique, sterile instrumentation, and appropriate perioperative medications and postoperative wound care. If diagnosed and treated early, this potentially disastrous complication can be cured with no permanent sequelae.     

CO2激光联合咪喹莫特乳膏治疗甲周疣疗效观察

目的:观察CO2激光联合咪喹莫特乳膏治疗甲周疣的临床疗效,并与单纯CO2激光治疗做比较.方法:将入选的182例甲周疣患者随机分为两组:对照组91例,单纯CO2激光手术治疗;治疗组91例,CO2激光加咪喹莫特乳膏治疗.3个月后分别对两组有效率及复发率进行随访.结果:对照组有效率84.5％,治疗组有效率90.2％,复发率分别是12.5％、7.9％.两组疗效比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:CO2激光联合5％咪喹莫特乳膏治愈率高,复发率低.联合治疗对特殊部位疣有一定推广价值.     

CO2 laser resurfacing and photocarcinogenesis: an experimental study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To examine whether carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment has a carcinogenic potential or may influence ultraviolet (UV)-induced carcinogenesis. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hairless mice (n = 211) were treated with a Sharplan CO2 laser with FeatherTouch scanner. Simulated solar irradiations were administrated either pre-operatively or pre- and post-operatively. Weekly clinical assessments of skin tumors were performed blinded during the entire observation period of 12 months. RESULTS: No tumors appeared (a) in mice just treated with CO2 laser, (b) in mice exposed to UV irradiation only before CO2 laser treatment or (c) in untreated control mice. Tumors developed in CO2 laser treated mice that were exposed to UV-irradiation both pre- and post-operatively and in UV-irradiated control mice. The time to first, second, and third tumors ranged from 18 to 20 weeks and no significant differences were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser treatment does not have a carcinogenic potential in itself, nor does CO2 laser treatment influence UV-induced carcinogenesis.     

CO2 laser resurfacing of the face and neck.

Laser resurfacing with the short-pulsed, high-energy CO2 laser has been used to treat photodamaged skin and acne scars. Efficacy and safety have been demonstrated with this technique since 1992. Newer treatment methods, including sequential or combination treatment with the Er:YAG laser have led to increased efficacy with a decrease in adverse sequelae. This article details the author's experience with CO2 laser resurfacing and promotes the use of sequential CO2/Er:YAG laser resurfacing.     

The evaluation of rhytidectomy flap healing after CO2 laser resurfacing in a pig model.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine when it becomes safe to perform laser resurfacing after rhytidectomy flap elevation. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-four sites on 12 domestic Yorkshire pigs were selected; 4 x 10-cm skin flaps were elevated in 72 of the 84 sites and shortened 10%. The 12 remaining sites (controls) were treated with laser resurfacing alone. Laser resurfacing was also performed at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after closing the skin flaps. The healing time for the laser-resurfaced sites without flap elevation were compared to that of the skin flaps treated with the laser at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Twelve "skin flap" controls were elevated, shortened 10%, and closed without laser treatment. Resurfacing was performed using 2 passes with the Sharplan Silk Touch CO(2) laser. RESULTS: The average healing time for the skin flaps treated with the laser at day 0 was 23.9 days. All of these flaps showed skin slough with delayed healing followed by scar formation. The areas treated with the laser alone (controls), and the subsequent skin flaps treated with the laser postoperatively at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 days completely re-epithelialized in an average of 7.8, 8.1, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.3 days, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in healing time between the controls and flaps treated with the laser on or after 7 days (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in healing time between the laser-treated skin flaps at day 0 and the controls, between the laser-treated flaps on day 0 and day 7, and between the laser-treated flaps on day 0 and day 14 (P < 0.001). Because there was little difference in healing time after 14 days, only the healing times for laser-treated skin flaps up to 14 days were compared using paired t tests. CONCLUSIONS: From our observations using a pig model, we conclude that skin flaps may be safely laser resurfaced about 1 week postoperatively. On the other hand, simultaneous flap elevation and laser resurfacing results in delayed healing with subsequent scar formation.     

超脉冲CO_2激光治疗眼睑缘痣细胞痣的疗效观察

目的：探讨超脉冲CO2激光治疗眼睑缘痣细胞痣的疗效与安全性。方法：使用超脉冲CO2激光治疗仪在眼罩保护,局部注射麻醉下,采用能量18～35mJ/cm2,频率20～30Hz治疗眼睑缘痣细胞痣42例。结果：随访3个月后其中39例皮损完全消退,无复发,3例皮损明显缩小,残留芝麻大小黑点,再次治疗后皮损消失。总有效率100%,患者满意,无不良反应及副作用。结论：采用超脉冲CO2激光治疗眼睑缘痣细胞痣操作简单、安全,效果显著,无副作用。     

Monitoring of the infrared radiation emitted from skin layers during CO2 laser resurfacing: a possible basis for a depth navigation device

CO₂ laser resurfacing is very accurate, but it is not free of complications such as scarring. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the pattern of the infrared (IR) radiation emitted from skin layers and to use this pattern to distinguish between these layers during resurfacing. A CO₂-resurfacing laser (Sharplan SilkTouch) was used for the de-epithelialisation of skin. A silver halide optical fibre delivered the radiation emitted from the skin during resurfacing to an IR photonic detector. Time-dependent curves of the signals emitted from the skin layers were statistically evaluated and showed significant differences between the epidermis and the dermal layers. Similar results were obtained during in-vivo and ex-vivo measurements. The difference between the skin layers emission may be used for depth navigation during laser resurfacing. Paper received 27 July 2000; accepted 18 October 2000.