Fractional CO laser to improve noticeable scars after skin cancer surgery: An appraisal by the patients, laypersons, and experts.

Publication

Fractional CO laser to improve noticeable scars after skin cancer surgery: An appraisal by the patients, laypersons, and experts.

Journal Paper/Review - May 31, 2021

Wyss Nina, Graf Nicole, Hafner Jürg, Imhof Laurence

Citation

Wyss N, Graf N, Hafner J, Imhof L. Fractional CO laser to improve noticeable scars after skin cancer surgery: An appraisal by the patients, laypersons, and experts. Dermatol Ther 2021; 34:e14999.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Dermatol Ther 2021; 34

Publication Date

May 31, 2021

Issn Electronic

1529-8019

Pages

e14999

Brief description/objective

Ablative fractionated carbon dioxide (fCO ) laser may be a useful tool to improve noticeable scars after skin cancer surgery. Therefore we evaluated 40 patients who have been treated with fCO laser for facial scars after skin cancer surgery. This retrospective study is based on blinded evaluation of pre- and postoperative photographs. Patients (n = 40), laypersons (n = 5) and experts (n = 5) evaluated the esthetics and the Vancouver scar scale as primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints included patient satisfaction and treatment safety. Patients, laypersons and experts consistently assessed a significant improvement of scar quality and appearance after fCO laser treatment, which was paralleled by high patient satisfaction. In conclusion, ablative fCO laser is effective in improving noticeable postsurgical scars. Patients are highly satisfied with post-laser results.