title: Pulsed Dye Laser for Early Treatment of Scars After Dermatological Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wound healing is a complex process; during the process angiogenesis takes place, that presents clinically as erythema, telangiectasia and edema. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has a wavelength of 585-595 nm, which targets the chromophore hemoglobin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine the level of improvement of post-dermatological surgery scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients attending for excision lesion were recruited. They were randomized to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 scar was randomly divided into 2 parts, one half received PDL 595 nm on 3 occasions; the first after suture removal, 15 and 45 days. Group 2 in one half laser application was simulated while the other was left untreated. The Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used by an external evaluator to assess the scars. Two skin biopsies were also obtained one before and one after laser treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VSS at 45 days decreased in a significant way in the treatment group from 4 to 1 (P = .005). In the control group decreased from 2 to 1.3 (P = .056). No significant difference was found between the presence of inflammatory infiltrate of patients in the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the usefulness of pulsed dye laser for improving the appearance of scars.
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vazquez-Martinez
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eichelmann
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia-Melendez
authors.forename: Ivette
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avila-Lozano
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ocampo-Candiani
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing