Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ablative vs. Fractional Er:YAG Laser Modes as a Treatment of Post-Burn Scars

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effect of Er:YAG laser in the management of post-burn scars and to compare its effect to ablative and fractional lasers.Patients and methods: 50 patients with post-burn scars were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups: Group I patients had ablative Er:YAG laser mode therapy and Group II patients had fractional Er:YAG laser rmode therapy. Vancouver scar score (VSS) was recorded for each group pre- and postoperatively, both groups showed an increase in the VSS and histopathological findings.Results: The obtained results showed morphological changes immediately after treatment, the skin surface displayed a white-gray frost, which on close inspection revealed a point pattern corresponding to individual laser columns done by fractional laser treatment.Conclusion: Ablative and fractional modes of Er:Yag laser can be used for treatment of post-burn hypertrophic scars. Ablative laser mode had better results than fractional laser mode as indicated by clinical assessment, VSS and changes of histopathological findings.