• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.175-178
• /
• 2006

Pulsed dye laser(PDL) is originally designed for the treatment of vascular lesions but also effective in improving the quality and appearance of surgical scars. Recently, 595nm Pulsed dye laser(V-beam laser), which has the advantage of deeper tissue penetration and lesser amount of purpura, is spotlighted as a new option for the treatment of surgical scar. The authors treated a surgical scar of a female patient with V-beam laser for 3 times between 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Subjective satisfaction was improved with visual analogue scale (VAS) and objective improvements were found in parameters of vascularity, pliability and height with Vancouver Scar Scale(VSS). We report the effectiveness of V-beam laser in surgical scar of Asian patient and plan the prospective study with larger scale.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.575-581
• /
• 2016

Background Open thyroidectomy is conventionally performed at the anterior side of neck, which is a body part with a comparatively great degree of open exposure; due to this, postoperative scarring may cause distress in patients. We aimed to compare the effects of ablative and nonablative fractional laser treatments on thyroidectomy scars. We examined medical records in a retrospective manner and analyzed scars based on their digital images by using the modified Manchester Scar Scale (mMSS). Methods Between February 2012 and May 2013, 55 patients with thyroidectomy scars were treated with ablative (34 patients) or nonablative (21 patients) fractional laser. Each patient underwent 4 laser treatment sessions in 3-4 week intervals, 1-2 months postoperatively. Scar improvement was assessed using patient images and the mMSS scale. Results The mean decrease in scar score was 3.91 and 3.47 in the ablative and nonablative groups, respectively; the reduction between 2 groups did not exhibit any significant difference (P=0.16). We used the scale once again to individually evaluate scar attributes. The nonablative group accounted for a considerably higher color score value (P=0.03); the ablative group accounted for a considerably higher contour score value (P<0.01). Patient satisfaction was high and no complications occurred. Conclusions Both types of fractional laser treatments can be used successfully for thyroidectomy scar treatment with minimal complications; however, results indicate that higher effectiveness may be obtained from the use of ablative and nonablative lasers for hypertrophic scars and early erythematous scars, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate laser for scar treatment should be selected according to its specific characteristics.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.19-23
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives The picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser was first approved by the US FDA in 2012. A previous study described the use of a 1,064 nm picosecond laser with a micro-lens array (MLA) in peri-areolar scarring from breast reconstruction surgery and reported significant improvement in the texture and aesthetic appearance of the scar without other wound complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement of overall scarring, not just pigmentation, in the picosecond laser treatment of patients with pigmentations. Materials and Methods Sixteen patients who underwent 1,064 nm picosecond laser treatment from June 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study. Patients received two to six sessions of picosecond laser treatment at intervals of 4 weeks. Before and after the laser treatment, the patients evaluated their own satisfaction score and a physician evaluated the Vancouver Scar Scale. To evaluate the satisfaction score and complication rate, a retrospective chart review was done. Results Seven were female and nine were male. The mean of the patients' satisfaction score before the treatment was 1.44 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2) and 3.00 (IQR 2.25-3.75) six months after treatment. The mean of the Vancouver Scar Scale before the treatment was 9.69 (IQR 8-11), and 6.25 (IQR 5-7.75) six months after treatment. All the results were statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion This study provides evidence that the use of a 1,064 nm picosecond laser treatment for pigmented scars can be effective in improving the pigmentation and overall scar status, including vascularity, height, and pliability, with the results of a decrease in the VSS scores between treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2021

There are several lasers available for office-based or suspension microlaryngoscopy laser procedures in the treatment of laryngeal diseases. Each has advantages and disadvantages given the depth of penetration per unit of power, absorption in water, spectral absorption characteristics, mode of delivery, safety, and cost. It is important to note that while the proper selection of indication of treatment based on a laser wavelength is critical, of equal importance is selecting the appropriate power setting, focal length (or spot size), and time of exposure. The photoangiolytic lasers precisely target hemoglobin within the microcirculation of the highly vascularized tissue and may have better hemostatic effects and preservation of surrounding normal tissue than the CO₂ laser. Although the choice of laser is purely theoretical and cannot be accurately concluded which parameters of laser (wattage and pulse width) were best to use, photoangiolytic laser surgery is safe and effective for specific laryngeal lesions. In this review, indications for photoangiolytic laser procedures for various laryngeal diseases, laser settings and surgical techniques for specific laryngeal lesions including sulcus vocalis, laryngeal dysplasia, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis will be introduced. Pros and cons of in-office laser surgery using photoangiolytic laser and flexible CO₂ laser will also be addressed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.112-120
• /
• 2010

Transoral $CO_2$ laser microsurgery has been widely used for various laryngeal diseases. Laser cordectomy for the management of early laryngeal carcinoma has advantages with regards to oncologic results, preservation of laryngeal functions, morbidity and cost in comparison to those of open surgery or radiation therapy. $CO_2$ laser is also applicable to benign vocal fold lesions such as nodules, polyps, cysts, reinke's edema, granulomas, papillomas, hemangiomas and glottis webs. $CO_2$ laser is suitable for microsurgery because it has small focus size and hemostatic effect. We should also recognize the risks of $CO_2$ laser for safe use.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.84-88
• /
• 2019

Background: Epidermal cysts are benign, slow growing cysts that often develop on the head, neck, chest, and back of adults. The most common method of surgical excision involves the use of a scalpel and often leaves a scar proportional to the size of the cyst. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques are required. Among these techniques, the $CO_2$ laser-based technique is minimally invasive and has lower complication rate, shorter recovery times, and lesser scarring. This paper aimed to compare the results and postoperative complications associated with a $CO_2$ laser-based excision against conventional surgical excision for epidermal cysts. Methods: We surveyed 120 patients, aged 16 to 65 years, with epidermal cysts on the face measuring 0.5 to 2.2 cm in diameter. Twelve months later, we compared the scar length, recurrence rate, patient satisfaction, and complications between patients treated with $CO_2$ laser excision versus surgical excision. Results: The mean scar length (12 months postoperative) after $CO_2$ laser excision was $0.30{\pm}0.15cm$, and that following surgical excision was $1.23{\pm}0.43cm$ (p= 0.001). The procedure time (time from incision after local anesthesia to the end of repair) was $16.15{\pm}5.96minutes$ for $CO_2$ laser excision versus $22.38{\pm}6.05minutes$ for surgical excision (p= 0.001). The recurrence rates in the surgical excision group and $CO_2$ laser excision group were 3.3% and 8.3%, respectively; this difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.648). Conclusion: The cosmetic outcome of $CO_2$ laser excision is excellent. For epidermal cysts measuring 2.2 cm or smaller, $CO_2$ laser excision is recommended, especially when aesthetic outcome is considered important.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives Skin and soft tissue defects can be treated according to a range of strategies, such as local flap, skin graft, biological dressing, or free flap. On the other hand, free tissue transfer usually leaves a distinct scar with an inconsistency of color or hypertrophy. This problem is highlighted if the defect is located on the face, which could have devastating effects on a patient's psychosocial health. Materials and Methods The authors used an erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser to resurface the free flap skin and match the color with the surrounding facial skin. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser skin resurfacing on the harmonious color matching of transferred flap. Patients who had undergone laser resurfacing on facial flap skin between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An ablative 2,940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser treatment was delivered to the entire flap skin at 21 J/cm² with the treatment end-point of pinpoint bleeding. Several months later, the clinical photographs were analyzed. The L^*a^*b^* color co-ordinates of both the flap and surrounding normal skin were measured using Adobe Photoshop. The L^*a^*b^* color difference (ΔE) for the scar and normal surrounding skin were calculated using the following equation: ${\Delta}E=\sqrt{({\Delta}L)^2+({\Delta}a)^2+({\Delta}b)^2}$ Results All five patients were satisfied with the more natural appearance of the flaps. The ΔE values decreased significantly from the pre-treatment mean value of 19.64 to the post-treatment mean value of 11.39 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.043). Conclusion Ablative laser resurfacing can improve the aesthetic outcome of free tissue transfer on the face.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.79-83
• /
• 2020

This paper reports a case of type 1 posterior glottic stenosis in a 60-year-old woman that was misdiagnosed as bronchial asthma. The patient was intubated at another hospital after ingesting herbicide and extubated seven days later. Although her voice changed, she had not received treatment at that time. She visited a local internal medicine clinic when her condition deteriorated to the point of dyspnea, but several months of treatment for bronchial asthma failed to improve her symptoms. Upon admission to the author's hospital, a laryngoscopic examination revealed a type 1 posterior glottic stenosis, which was removed surgically using a CO₂ laser.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 1993

Recently, conservative and bloodless operative procedures have been focused, so that endoscopic laser have been used. However application of endoscopic laser surgery for laryngeal lesion is capable for followings: (1)capability of delivery through an operating microscope, (2) vaporization of ultraspot. $CO_2$ laser which has been used, has limitations for voice improvement because of 700 micron beam spot. KTP-532 laser which is capable of delivery through an operating microscope vapore 200 micron ultraspot has developed and applied to microlaryngeal surgery. We have experienced 60 cases who were contracted with hoarseness(53 cases of benign lesions vocal nodule 13, vocal polyp 13, bilateral diffuse polyposis of vocal cords 11, intracordal cyst 8, vocal papilloma 5, laryngocele 1, laryngeal stenosis 2 and 7 cases of malignant lesions : laryngeal carcinoma stage I and II) since 1991. We operated them with KTP-532 Laserscope(3 Watt/0.05 sec., pulsed or continuous. San Jose, Calif, USA). Forty eigh cases(90.6%) of 53 bengin laryngeal lesions and 4 cases(57.1%) of malignant lesions were significantly improved in their voices. There were a few complications and technical problems, but laser surgery alone had a limitation to eradicate the disease.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.90-93
• /
• 2019

The treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars (HTSs) remains one of the most difficult challenges, with a high recurrence rate regardless of the method of treatment. The latest trend in scar management is a combined approach using multiple modalities that are individualized to the patient and that would provide successful results for keloid and HTSs. There are previous reports that stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is effective for scar remodeling. Based on these reports, we introduced the concept of a combination treatment using SVF injection and fractional ablative CO₂ laser. In this report, we present a 21-year-old woman who was involved in a car accident. A defect on her foot was covered with a skin graft, but the scars became elevated, which turned out to be HTSs. She was treated with a fractional ablative CO₂ laser for five sessions. A month later, SVF injection and fractional ablative CO₂ laser were conducted simultaneously. The result of a year's follow-up showed a flattened scar with resolution of pigment deposition. In conclusion, the combination treatment for HTSs with SVF injection and ablative fractional CO₂ laser is one of the modalities to achieve an excellent outcome for treating HTS.