title: Initial clinical evaluation of the NovaScan carbon dioxide laser handpiece.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This report summarizes an institutional review board-approved 6-month study with the NovaPulse carbon dioxide (CO2) laser utilizing the NovaScan handpiece in facial skin resurfacing applications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study comprised the initial clinical evaluation (pre-FDA approval) of this device.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 54 patients underwent 56 laser procedures: 36 full face and 20 regional procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following healing, there was a 91% satisfaction rate. The mean laser-on times were: full face, 27 min; perioral, 7 min; periorbital, 3 min; glabellar, 2.5 min; scar, 5 min; and epidermal lesions, 6 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NovaScan CO2 laser handpiece is a safe tool for skin resurfacing. In its initial use over a 6-month period there were no device-related complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford University, California, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation*