title: Laser blepharoplasty: diamond laser scalpel compared to the free beam CO2 laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blepharoplasty has long been employed for functional and cosmetic purposes. Different modalities have been utilized to incise and remove excess eyelid tissue in an attempt to improve surgical technique.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study compares a free beam CO2 laser to a diamond surgical scalpel combined with a CO2 laser for performance of blepharoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients underwent bilateral upper lid blepharoplasty. One side was randomly assigned to the free beam CO2 laser technique, while the other side was performed with the diamond laser scalpel. Intraoperative surgical times and hemostasis were measured. Masked observers assessed postoperative parameters at day 1, week 1, week 2, week 4, and month 4. These assessments were analyzed clinically and statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two modalities produced similar results for the intraoperative and postoperative parameters studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diamond laser scalpel has the advantage of tactile feedback and the option of use without coagulation.
authors.forename: Sterling S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Jennie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hunnewell
authors.forename: W Stanley
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Muenzler
authors.forename: Gerard J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide