Fractional Carbon Dioxide, Long Pulse Nd:YAG and Pulsed Dye Laser in the Management of Keloids

BACKGROUND: Keloids are abnormal wound responses characterised by excessive deposition of collagen and glycoprotein. They are both aesthetically and symptomatically distressing for most of the patients. There are reports of keloid management with pulsed dye laser (PDL), fractional carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser individually and also in combination of CO(2) with PDL and CO(2) with Nd:YAG. Here, we discuss a combination of all the 3 lasers as a therapy for keloids. AIM: This study aims to assess the efficacy of fractional CO(2) laser, long pulse Nd:YAG laser and PDL in the management of keloids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with keloids were treated by fractional CO(2) laser, followed by PDL and long pulse Nd:YAG laser at monthly intervals. Four patients discontinued the study and were lost for follow-up. Photographs were taken at the beginning of the treatment and at the end of five sessions. Clinical improvement was analysed based on a visual analogue scale graded by three blinded observers after assessing the clinical photographs for the improvement in size, colour and aesthetic impression. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients, one patient had excellent improvement, one patient had good improvement, four patients had moderate improvement, two patients had mild improvement and three had no improvement. CONCLUSION: Lasers may have a synergistic effect when combined with other modalities of treatment but cannot be used as monotherapy in the treatment of keloids.