Treatment of Surgical Scars with Fractional Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Object: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects of fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser treatment with traditional therapy on surgical scars by analyzing and comparing observational indicators. Approach: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 116 patients who received scar treatment in our hospital, of which 58 patients received fractional CO₂ laser treatment, and 58 patients received injection treatment. The outcome measures comprised the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). The observation intervals occur at specific times. Evaluated at 6 months of follow-up, the outcome was blinded, on-site evaluation using the dermatological appearance scale (DAS) and visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Patients in the fractional carbon-dioxide laser (CO₂FL) group rated better than those in the injection group in the POSAS, VSS, DAS, and VAS scores (p < 0.05). The therapeutic efficacy and patients' satisfaction of the research group were superior to those in the control group. Innovation: Scars following surgical procedures can be treated in a variety of methods, but there is no consensus on the best method. CO₂FL has exhibited safety and is more effective than traditional injection treatments for surgical scars. It is a worthwhile approach to consider in clinical treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CO₂FL achieves more significant long-term results in surgical scars, including improved scar appearance, safety, and patient satisfaction.