Efficacy of Early Application of Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser on Secondary Skin Contracture after Skin Graft

Yoon, Hyungwoo; Chung, Yoon Kyu; Kim, Jiye

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser is widely used for the treatment of various scars including burn injuries. We applied ablative fractional CO2 laser on the skin graft scar of faces.
METHODS
Fourteen patients between 2010 and 2013 who underwent facial skin graft were included in this study. The ablative fractional CO2 laser was applied to 7 patients in the laser therapy group. It was initiated at 5th week after the skin graft. Clinical photographs were taken, and Patient Scar Assessment Score (PAS) was obtained during every visit from a patient at the outpatient clinic and 4 weeks after the last laser treatment. In the untreated control group, clinical photographs and PAS were taken at 5th and 21st weeks after the skin graft. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Observer Scar Assessment score (OAS) was rated by single independent plastic surgeon with the clinical photographs.
RESULTS
In the laser therapy group, VSS, PAS, and OAS improved after fractional laser treatment. In the untreated group, VSS was also improved by the natural process of scar maturation. However, the laser treated group showed significant improvement compared with the untreated group.
CONCLUSIONS
The ablative fractional CO2 laser can be a viable option for the treatment of skin graft scar. Further study with sufficient patients and long term follow-up is necessary for definite conclusions.