Fractional CO₂ Laser Resurfacing Complications

Abstract

Fractionated CO₂ laser technology has allowed physicians to resurface patients with a lower rate of complications than nonfractionated ablative laser treatment. Unfortunately, adverse effects can still occur even with the best technology and physician care. Complication prevention, detection, and treatment are an important part of a physician's ability to provide the best result when treating a patient with fractionated CO₂ resurfacing.

Keywords

complication - infection - scar - dyschromia

• References

• 1 Alam M, Pantanowitz L, Harton AM, Arndt KA, Dover JS. A prospective trial of fungal colonization after laser resurfacing of the face: correlation between culture positivity and symptoms of pruritus. Dermatol Surg 2003; 29 (3) 255-260
• 2 Conn H, Nanda VS. Prophylactic fluconazole promotes reepithelialization in full-face carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med 2000; 26 (2) 201-207
• 3 Rao J, Golden TA, Fitzpatrick RE. Atypical mycobacterial infection following blepharoplasty and full-face skin resurfacing with CO2 laser. Dermatol Surg 2002; 28 (8) 768-771 , discussion 771
• 4 Palm MD, Butterwick KJ, Goldman MP. Mycobacterium chelonae infection after fractionated carbon dioxide facial resurfacing (presenting as an atypical acneiform eruption): case report and literature review. Dermatol Surg 2010; 36 (9) 1473-1481
• 5 Fisher AA. Lasers and allergic contact dermatitis to topical antibiotics, with particular reference to bacitracin. Cutis 1996; 58 (4) 252-254
• 6 Ortiz AE, Tingey C, Yu YE, Ross EV. Topical steroids implicated in postoperative infection following ablative laser resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med 2012; 44 (1) 1-3
• 7 Ross RB, Spencer J. Scarring and persistent erythema after fractionated ablative CO2 laser resurfacing. J Drugs Dermatol 2008; 7 (11) 1072-1073
• 8 Fife DJ, Fitzpatrick RE, Zachary CB. Complications of fractional CO2 laser resurfacing: four cases. Lasers Surg Med 2009; 41 (3) 179-184
• 9 Manuskiatti W, Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP. Long-term effectiveness and side effects of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for photoaged facial skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999; 40 (3) 401-411
• 10 Choi B, Barton J, Chan E , et al. Infrared imaging of CO₂ laser ablation: implications for laser skin resurfacing. Proc SPIE 1998; 3245: 344-351
• 11 Avram MM, Tope WD, Yu T, Szachowicz E, Nelson JS. Hypertrophic scarring of the neck following ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med 2009; 41 (3) 185-188
• 12 Gewirtzman A, Meirson DH, Rabinovitz H. Eruptive keratoacanthomas following carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg 1999; 25 (8) 666-668
• 13 Mamelak AJ, Goldberg LH, Marquez D, Hosler GA, Hinckley MR, Friedman PM. Eruptive keratoacanthomas on the legs after fractional photothermolysis: report of two cases. Dermatol Surg 2009; 35 (3) 513-518
• 14 Tan KL, Kurniawati C, Gold MH. Low risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin types 4 and 5 after treatment with fractional CO2 laser device. J Drugs Dermatol 2008; 7 (8) 774-777
• 15 Ward PD, Baker SR. Long-term results of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of the face. Arch Facial Plast Surg 2008; 10 (4) 238-243 , discussion 244–245
• 16 Bernstein LJ, Kauvar AN, Grossman MC, Geronemus RG. The short- and long-term side effects of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg 1997; 23 (7) 519-525
• 17 Bisson MA, Grover R, Grobbelaar AO. Long-term results of facial rejuvenation by carbon dioxide laser resurfacing using a quantitative method of assessment. Br J Plast Surg 2002; 55 (8) 652-656
• 18 Laws RA, Finley EM, McCollough ML, Grabski WJ. Alabaster skin after carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with histologic correlation. Dermatol Surg 1998; 24 (6) 633-636
• 19 Shamsaldeen O, Peterson JD, Goldman MP. The adverse events of deep fractional CO(2): a retrospective study of 490 treatments in 374 patients. Lasers Surg Med 2011; 43 (6) 453-456
• 20 Lowe NJ, Lask G, Griffin ME. Laser skin resurfacing. Pre- and posttreatment guidelines. Dermatol Surg 1995; 21 (12) 1017-1019
• 21 Lee S. New and unresolved complications after upper lid blepharoplasty and full face CO₂ laser resurfacing. Paper presented at: the 20^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery; January 29–Feburary 2, 2004; Hollywood, FL
• 22 Nanni CA, Alster TS. Complications of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. An evaluation of 500 patients. Dermatol Surg 1998; 24 (3) 315-320