Open AccessLong-term Efficacy of Q-switched 1064 nm Nd-YAG Laser for Treatment of Split-thickness Skin Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Atthawit Mongkornwong,
Warangkana Tonaree,
Apirag Chuangsuwanich,
Sitthichoke Taweepraditpol
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of health science and medical research (jhsmr)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2630-0559
DOI - 10.31584/jhsmr.2021840
Subject(s) - erythema , medicine , hyperpigmentation , skin type , randomized controlled trial , prospective cohort study , dermatology , urology , surgery , nuclear medicine
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for reducing hyperpigmentation and erythema and increasing pliability in skin grafts.Material and Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Half of each skin graft was treated with a Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser 4 times, and the other half was left untreated and collectively used as the controls. The treatment results were evaluated by clinical photographs, and assessment of the melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI), and elasticity parameters at baseline and at 2 weeks after each session and 1 month after the final treatment.Results: Ten skin graft sites from 10 patients were included. Most patients had lesions at a lower extremity. After 4 sessions of treatment, average melanin index at the treated sites was non-significantly decreased compared to both baseline (p-value=0.232) and the untreated sites (p-value=0.770). The elasticity of the treated sites increased significantly when compared to baseline (p-value=0.039), but non-significantly when compared to the untreated sites (p-value=0.846). The EI at the treated sites non-significantly decreased compared to both baseline (p-value=0.432) and the untreated sites (p-value=0.164). Conclusion: This study found the Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment to be a potentially promising modality for increasing the pliability of skin grafts, but reductions in hyperpigmentation and erythema were only clinically significant.