Surgical Pearl: The high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser for immediate scar resurfacing

Abstract

The carbon dioxide laser has been used extensively in dermatologic surgery for many years. 1 Goldman L Blaney DJ Kindel DJ et al. Effect of the laser beam on the skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1963; 40: 121-122 PubMed Scopus (134) Google Scholar , 2 McBurney EL Rosen DA. Carbon dioxide laser treatment of verrucae vulgaris. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1984; 10: 45-48 Crossref PubMed Scopus (75) Google Scholar , 3 Ratz JL Bailin PL Lakeland RF. Carbon dioxide laser treatment of epidermal nevi. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1986; 12: 567-570 Crossref PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar , 4 Kantor GR Wheeland RG Bailin PL et al. Treatment of earlobe keloids with carbon dioxide laser excision: a report of 16 cases. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1985; 11: 1063-1067 Crossref PubMed Scopus (59) Google Scholar , 5 Greenbaum SS Krull EA Watnick K. Comparison of carbon dioxide laser and electrosurgery in the treatment of rhinophyma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988; 18: 363-368 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (69) Google Scholar , 6 David LM. Laser vermillion ablation for actinic cheilitis. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1985; 11: 605-608 Crossref PubMed Scopus (90) Google Scholar , 7 David LM Lask GP Glassberg E et al. Laser abrasion for cosmetic and medical treatment of facial actinic damage. Cutis. 1989; 43: 583-588 PubMed Google Scholar Its uses are well known. High-energy, ultra-short pulsed lasers as well as the flash scanner–type carbon dioxide lasers have been introduced recently.