title: Appropriate timing for thyroidectomy scar treatment using a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical scarring is a common cosmetic problem that occurs in various surgical fields, including dermatology. Many trials have been conducted to determine how to prevent this distressing scar formation. A 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser has been used to improve the appearance of surgical scars, but an appropriate treatment time has not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the appropriate time to apply 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment for thyroidectomy scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Korean patients with linear surgical suture lines after thyroidectomy (N = 65) were treated using a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser. Patients were divided into three groups according to postoperative treatment time. Laser treatment was started in 40, 15, and 10 patients 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. Each patient was treated three times at 1-month intervals using the same parameters (14 mJ, 100 spots/cm(2) , 2 passes).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean Vancouver Scar Scale scores were significantly lower after laser treatment (p < .01), with the greatest difference in the group that began treatment 3 weeks postoperatively. Global assessment also indicated better cosmetic outcomes in the 3-week postoperative treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early postoperative 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser treatment of thyroidectomy scars is more effective than later treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: In Young
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sung Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004871:Erbium; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004871:Erbium