Effect of pulse width of a 595-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser on the treatment response of keloidal and hypertrophic sternotomy scars.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) have successfully treated keloidal and hypertrophic scars.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective was to investigate the effect of pulse width of a PDL in treating keloidal and hypertrophic scars.

METHODS:

On each of 19 patients, keloidal or hypertrophic median sternotomy scars were divided into two segments. Both segments on all patients were randomly treated with a 595-nm PDL at a fluence of 7 J/cm(2) and pulse widths of 0.45 and 40 ms to both segments, every 4 weeks for a total of three treatments. Scar volume, height, erythema, and pliability were measured at Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 24.

RESULTS:

The volume of segments treated with 0.45- and 40-ms pulses decreased significantly after two treatments. Segments treated with a 0.45-ms pulse width showed significantly greater improvement than those treated with 40-ms pulses after three treatments. Elasticity of 0.45-ms segments was significantly higher than those of 40-ms segments, following two treatments. Pulse width had no significant effect in improvement of scar erythema.

CONCLUSIONS:

A pulse width of 0.45 ms of PDL was more effective in decreasing scar size and improving scar pliability than that of 40 ms. A 595-nm PDL was safe and effective in treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids in dark-skinned individuals. This study was supported in part by an educational grant from the Dermatological Society of Thailand.

• Authors: Woraphong Manuskiatti, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha, Richard E Fitzpatrick
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 33 Issue 2 Pg. 152-61 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17300600 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Cicatrix, Hypertrophic (therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Keloid (therapy)
• Low-Level Light Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Sternum (surgery)
• Thoracotomy
• Treatment Outcome
• Wound Healing