Dermatologic clinics
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Laser treatment of pigmented lesions can be a rewarding experience when appropriate lesions are treated. Accurate diagnosis of pigmented lesions is needed before treatment. In some lesions, adjuvant topical therapy is greatly beneficial, and for others it may be the only option. ⋯ Amateur and traumatic tattoos clear readily with laser treatment. Cosmetic tattoos should be approached with caution. In addition, the use of laser-responsive ink and higher-powered or shorter-pulsed (picosecond) lasers may further enhance the ability to treat tattoos.
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Dermatologic clinics · Jan 2002
ReviewRegional anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care for dermatologic laser surgery.
This article describes an anesthetic technique that the authors have found useful for cutaneous laser surgery in keeping with the standards for office-based anesthesia practice. Although still in its infancy, office-based anesthesia for dermatologic laser procedures has become one of the most challenging yet rewarding fields of anesthesia today. As laser procedures continue to flourish, with seemingly endless technologic advances, surgeons, anesthesia providers, and other medical personnel must work collaboratively in developing appropriate office-based practice. The authors' experience using the anesthetic technique described here has demonstrated that cutaneous laser resurfacing can be conducted safely and efficiently using a combination of facial nerve blocks with intravenous sedation.