title: The microsecond 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser as an adjunct to improving surgical scars following Mohs micrographic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scarring following skin surgery is an unavoidable certainty. Scars resulting from Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) can cause both cosmetic and functional problems. Various lasers have been used to treat scars, but the role of the microsecond pulsed 1064 nanometer neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (1064 nm Nd:YAG) in treating surgical scars is not well-defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aim to examine the clinical application of the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in improving surgical scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients who were unhappy with cosmetic or functional outcomes of their surgical scars following MMS were treated with 1-3 sessions of the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to improve their scars. Therapy completion was determined by patient satisfaction with the appearance of their scars and/or resolution of any contractures that formed following surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All ten patients were pleased with the improved appearance of their scars. Four patients saw complete resolution of an ectropion or eclabium that formed secondary to scar contractures from MMS. The side effects of laser treatments were limited to 1-2 hours of erythema, and there were no incidences of adverse effects or recurrence of contractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our clinical experience with the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser provides promising data on improving appearance of and functionality from post-surgical scars.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ezra
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arshanapalli
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bednarek
authors.affiliation: b Department of Plastic , Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery , Nippon Medical School, Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akaishi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
authors.forename: Ally-Khan
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Somani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Contracture; Nd:YAG; cosmetics; eclabium; ectropion; mohs micrographic surgery; scar; scar revision