ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

European Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2017 April;1(1):1-5

DOI: 10.23736/S2532-3466.17.00104-7

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Single fractional CO2 laser treatment minimizes post-thyroidectomy scarring in dark skin patients: a randomized controlled assessor blinded trial

Khalid H. ALQAHTANI ¹, Huma K. KHURRUM ², Shereen M. GHAZI ¹, Khalid M. ALGHAMDI ^{2, 3} ✉

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; ² Vitiligo Research Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; ³ Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Post-thyroidectomy scars can be cosmetically unacceptable. Limited evidence indicates that scar minimization may be possible if fractional CO2 treatments are initiated shortly after surgery. Here, the aim is to determine whether a single fractional CO2 laser treatment for early post-thyroidectomy scars can minimize their appearance in Fitzpatrick type IV skin.
METHODS: We performed a randomized controlled, split-scar trial. Participants included patients of both genders between 18-65 years of age with early post-thyroidectomy scars. Patients began treatment 1-6 weeks after surgery with one session of CO2 fractional laser therapy on half of the scar. A simple randomization technique was used. The patients were assessed before the laser treatment and at 2 months after the session.
RESULTS: Three men and 28 women with a mean age of 39±12 years were recruited. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline scores between the untreated and treated halves of the scars (treated side 6.19±2.36 vs. control 6.42±1.82, P=0.499). The mean value of the baseline scores was 6.19±2.36 for the treated half of the scar. Two months after laser treatment, the mean value increased significantly (11.29±2.50, P=0.000). For the control half, the mean score was 6.42±1.82 before treatment and 7.42±2.09 two months after treatment. Greater improvements were noted in the treated half, as indicated by a greater increase in the total score (treated side vs. control; P<0.001). No side effects were noted on either side.
CONCLUSIONS: Fractional CO2 laser treatment seems to be a safe and effective tool for minimizing post-thyroidectomy scars in the early postoperative phase in Fitzpatrick type IV skin patients.

KEY WORDS: Thyroidectomy - Cicatrix - Gas lasers - Skin pigmentation