Comparative Prospective Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Long-Pulsed Nd-YAG Laser and Fractional Er-YAG Laser Treatments in Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars

INTRODUCTION: Keloid and hypertrophic scars are pathological scars that occur as a result of the abnormal healing process of the skin against trauma. It bothers patients cosmetically and causes itching, pain, burning, sensitivity and loss of function in patients. There is no single treatment with proven efficacy in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Laser treatments, a relatively new modality, are increasingly being used in keloid and hypertrophic scars treatment to reduce the risk of relapse and achieve positive cosmetic and symptomatic results. In our study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of long-pulsed Nd-YAG laser and fractional Er-YAG laser treatments in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars.
METHODS: Twenty patients with keloid and/or hypertrophic scars were included in the study. Patients with keloid and/or hypertrophic scars were divided into two groups of ten, each for five sessions of laser treatment. Group A received fractional Er: YAG laser, Group B received long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser treatment. Patients were evaluated before treatment and their lesions were photographed. The patients were evaluated with the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale and the treatment satisfaction scale three months after the treatment was completed.
RESULTS: There was no change in Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale scores before and after treatment in both groups. After the treatment, eight patients were satisfied with the treatment, and twelve patients were not satisfied with the treatment.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Long-pulsed Nd-YAG laser and fractional Er-YAG laser treatments have not been shown to be effective in the treatment of keloid and/or hypertrophic scars.