search
for
 About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Membership  News


Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
Medknow Publications on behalf of The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL)
ISSN: 0378-6323 EISSN: 0973-3922
Vol. 74, Num. 2, 2008, pp. 170-170

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Vol. 74, No. 2, March-April, 2008, pp. 170

Letter To Editor

Multiple dermatofibromas on face treated with carbon dioxide laser: The importance of laser parameters

Sardana Kabir, Garg VijayK

Department of Dermatology and STD, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
Correspondence Address:Sect. 28, 466, Noida - 201 303, UP, kabirijdvl@gmail.com

Code Number: dv08070

Related articles: dv07068, dv08071

Sir,

Dermatofibroma (DF) is one of the common dermatologic diseases treated by practicing dermatologists. [1] The use of carbon dioxide laser has emerged as an effective option for treatment of numerous epidermal and dermal dermatological lesions, including benign and malignant growths, keloids, vascular deformities, warts and tattoos. [2] The focus has now shifted from continuous wave (CW) to super-pulse (SP) and now ultrapulse (UP) mode. [3] The latter mode combines efficacy and minimal tissue damage and is preferred by most laser surgeons worldwide. [3]

The case published [4] highlights two concepts. One the use of CO 2 laser, and second its apparent beneficial effects on fibrosis. But surprisingly, no mention is made of some standard facts that are mandatory in laser article publications worldwide: [3] the type of laser, the make, the mode used (CW, SP, UP), the sub-mode used (continuous, repeat, pulsed), the energy used (joules/cm 2 ) and in most pulsed surgery - the total power (W), power/pulse (mJ), pulse width (in µs), frequency (Hz) and pulse diameter. [3]

Nowadays, it is routine to use a two-step procedure, first to debulk the tissue with CW mode and then to destroy the base with UP mode, with the end-point varying depending on the lesion to be treated. [3] This use of UP mode ensures better cosmesis. [3] Notwithstanding the high recurrence that is the norm in similar conditions with fibroblastic proliferation like keloids, [3] it is heartening to note the decent results obtained by the authors. [4] But, we were surprised to note that no mention was made of a previous study on 18 patients (20 lesions) with PDL where 15 of 20 lesions (75%) responded. [5] With so little on the subject, a proper perspective was warranted in the article on whether PDL is superior to CO 2 or not.

References

1.Sehgal VN, Sardana K, Khandpur S. Giant combined dermatofibroma with satellitosis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2004;29:147-9.  Back to cited text no. 1    
2.Hruza G. Lasers in dermatology: Laser treatment of warts and other epidermal and dermal lesions. Dermatol Clin 1997;15:487-505.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Willard RJ, Moody BR, Hruza GJ. Carbon dioxide and erbium: YAG laser ablation. Chapter 6, In: Goldman MP, editor. Cutaneous and cosmetic laser surgery. 1st ed. Elseiver ?nc: 2006. p. 155-83.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4. Krupa Shankar DS, Kushalappa AA, Suma KS, Pai SA. Multiple dermatofibromas on face treated with carbon dioxide laser. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2007;73:194-5. [BIOLINE] Back to cited text no. 4    
5.Wang SQ, Lee PK. Treatment of dermatofibroma with a 600 nm pulsed dye laser. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:532-5.  Back to cited text no. 5  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]

Copyright 2008 - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology

Home Faq Resources Email Bioline
© Bioline International, 1989 - 2024, Site last up-dated on 01-Sep-2022.
Site created and maintained by the Reference Center on Environmental Information, CRIA, Brazil
System hosted by the Google Cloud Platform, GCP, Brazil