title: Long-term efficacy of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for facial actinic keratosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and long-term effectiveness of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing in the treatment of patients with facial actinic keratosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart analysis was conducted of 31 patients who underwent full face carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for facial actinic keratosis from July 1998 to November 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 31 patients, 18 (58%) were free of lesions at their longest visit. The average actinic keratosis free period, excluding 2 deceased patients, was 27.4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is an effective tool in the management of patients with facial actinic keratosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Parkland Memorial Hospital, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75201, USA. sherryomfs@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sherry
authors.forename: Brett A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Finn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide