Prevention of postoperative scars in dark skin types using a fractional carbon dioxide laser: a clinical and histopathological split-scar study

Background: Treatment of mature postoperative scars is frustrating for both patients and doctors. Accordingly, a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser could be used during the early postoperative period as a prophylaxis against scarring. However, its safety in patients with dark skin types and the histopathological changes during early treatment remain controversial. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fractional CO2 laser in the prevention of postoperative scars in patients with dark skin types, with assessment of its histopathological effect. Patients and methods: Six fractional CO2 laser sessions were performed at 2-week intervals on one part of early postoperative wounds of 20 patients in comparison with other untreated parts 3 months after the last session using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). Using histopathological and computerized morphometric analysis, morphological changes in collagen and elastic fibers were assessed and a quantitative evaluation of epidermal thickness was performed 3 months after the last session. Results: In treated parts, there was a significant improvement in pliability, height, and total VSS score (P≤0.05), with no significant difference in vascularity and pigmentation (>0.05), compared with untreated parts. Hypertrophic scars appeared in untreated parts of 40% of the patients. Histopathologically, collagen fibers were fine and well organized in treated parts (75%); however, they were arranged as fairly thickened hyaline bu...
Source: Journal of the Egyptian Women’s Dermatologic Society - Category: Dermatology Tags: Original articles Source Type: research