Delayed Infections Following Full-Face CO2 Laser Resurfacing and Occlusive Dressing Use

Abstract

This study reports an infection rate of 1.13% following full-face CO2 laser resurfacing and occlusive dressing use in 354 patients. Because infection may develop many weeks after the procedure, patients should be educated to maintain proper wound care hygiene and to avoid "double dipping" of wound care products until wounds are completely healed.

Evaluation of a Silicone Occlusive Dressing After Laser Skin Resurfacing

“…This is comparable to rates of infection in other studies. 3,4,17 In the prospective study, no infections developed after the procedure. This was likely due to increased instruction in semisterile technique for patients' self-wound care and greater emphasis on the importance of prophylactic antibiotic and antiviral therapy.…”

“…4,9 Our experience revealed that patients found the dressing tolerable and thought it increased their comfort. Patients rated the dressing very comfortable (2 on a scale of 0-3), and were unlikely to consider it claustrophobic (0.8 on a scale of 0-3).…”

“…In addition, dressings may create a restrictive or claustrophobic environment. 3,4 The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative healing, complications, and subjective attitudes retrospectively and prospectively in patients receiving a silicone occlusive dressing vs open-wound care after combination carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and erbium (Er):YAG full-face LSR. The dressing evaluated was considered representative of semiocclusive polymer films, a silicone dressing with a polytetrafluorethylene inner polymer network (Silon-TSR; Bio Med Sciences, Inc, Bethlehem, Pa).…”

Characteristics of waterborne polyurethane/poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) composite films for wound‐healing dressings

“…Furthermore, the loss of water from the wound reduces the supply of nutrients to the new tissue and white blood cells. [7][8][9][10][11][12] It has been reported that healing in a wet environment is faster than that in a dry environment. This is due to the fact that renewed skin, instead of eschar, forms during healing in a wet environment.…”

Comparison of two wound dressings after laser skin resurfacing

“…These regimens, theoretically, would seem to be less likely to foster infection, since there is no dressing under which bacteria may be trapped (6). However, open methods may be more painful and inconvenient for the patient.…”