title: Long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser treatment for onychomycosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Rui-na
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dong-kun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Feng-lin
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: Xiao-han
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Xiao-yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun-ying
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult