International wound journal
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This prospective study looked at the outcome of laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) treatment for hypertrophic scarring. Dermatrade mark K laser (a set of combined lasers erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet/carbon dioxide, qualified as a class IV laser) was used. Between 21 June 2000 and 19 November 2002, at the Siemianowice Burn Center, Poland, 592 interventions, using laser, were performed on N= 327 patients (220 women and 107 men, aged between 3 and 80 years). ⋯ The scars had become less red (192/327 scored no redness at the end of the study versus 92/327 upon initial), less raised (272/327 scored a flat scar versus 72/327 upon initial) and demonstrated an improved viscoelasticity (192/327 scored a soft skin versus 62/327 upon initial). Laser treatment did not improve contractures in post-burn hypertrophic scars. Results were not confirmed using objective measurement tools, as these were not available to us.