title: Fractional CO2 laser treatment for a skin graft.
abstract: Skin grafts are widely used in reconstructive and plastic surgery, leaving an inevitable scar appearance on the body, affecting the quality of life of the patients. Fractional ablative lasers have become a leading procedure for the treatment of acne and burn scars. We report a case of a skin graft showing excellent improvement in overall appearance after three sessions of fractional CO2 laser. The undamaged tissue left between the microthermal treatment zones is responsible of collagen formation and reepithelialization. Remodeling and collagen formation are observed even 6 months after a fractional CO2 laser session.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Farid E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Maya B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Habre
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Josiane F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Helou
authors.affiliation: b Bellevue Medical Center , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Roland G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Tohme
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Roland R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tomb
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: ablative; fractional CO2 laser; scar; skin graft