Efficacy of erbium yttrium aluminium garnet laser on post-traumatic scars among Indian population – A non-randomized study

Abstract

Objectives: The post-trauma scar is a common problem; it can produce physical and psychological difficulties to the patient. The use of ablative and non-ablative lasers based on the fractional approach is emerging as a method to treat scars. However, very limited data are available of the same in patients of South India. In this study, the authors demonstrated the efficacy of ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) for traumatic scars using a 2940-nm erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser for the treatment of post-traumatic scars in patients of south India. Material and Methods: Seventy-three scars were enrolled in adults of age between 18 and 60 years. Each scar was treated four times at 1-month intervals with a fractional ablative 2940-nm Er: YAG laser using the same parameters. Pre-treatment evaluation before the initiation of the treatment and post-treatment evaluation was performed 1 month after the fourth treatment session of laser. The scar was evaluated using Vancouver scar scale (VSS). Results: All 73 scars completed the study. After ablative fractional laser treatment, all treated portions of the scars showed improvements, as demonstrated by the VSS. Conclusion: This study shows that ablative fractional application of Er: YAG laser treatment of scars reduces scars fairly. The authors suggest that treatment using AFR can be a adjuvant scar management method for improving the quality of life of patients with post-traumatic scars in patients of south India.