Comparative evaluation of clinical outcomes of laser skin resurfacing using ultrapulse CO2 laser and manual dermabrasion using medium grit drywall sand screen for scar revision in adults – a split scar prospective study

Publication date: Available online 27 October 2018

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Mistry Taher, Natarajan Srivalli, Mistry Yusuf

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of laser skin resurfacing using ultrapulse CO₂ laser and manual dermabrasion using medium grit drywall sand screen for scar revision in adults with Fitzpatrick Skin type III – V.

Method

ology: A total of 20 post-surgical and post-traumatic scars in individuals with Fitzpatrick Skin type III – V were included in this study. Pre-operative evaluation of the scar was done using the Manchester scar rating scale by three blinded observers. Each scar to be treated was divided into two equal halves and each half was allotted to either group A (ultrapulse CO₂ laser resurfacing) or group B (manual dermabrasion) randomly.

Postoperative clinical evaluation was done by the same observers using the Manchester scar rating scale at the end of, 1^st, 3^rd, and 6^th month, respectively.

Results

This study showed that both the methods are effective in improving the appearance of the post-surgical and post-traumatic scars. However, there is no significant difference among them (p=0.978). Hyperpigmentation occurred in four scars in both the halves treated with manual dermabrasion and laser resurfacing, however it had resolved by the end of the 6^th month in all the four scars.

Conclusion

This study concluded that CO₂ laser resurfacing and manual dermabrasion, both are equally efficacious and safe methods for scar resurfacing in adults with Fitzpatrick skin type III - V.

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