Longterm comparison of soft palate scars after UPPP made by CO2, contact Nd-YAG or combined CO2 and Nd-YAG laser beams

Abstract

C0(2) laser, contact Nd-YAG laser and Combolaser (combined CO(2) and Nd-YAG laser beam) vary distinctively in the way they interact with target tissue. To study the quality of mature scars produced by these lasers, the ultrastructure and amount of collagen in soft palate scars after 60 uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) operations were analysed. The CO(2) laser was used in 19, contact Nd-YAG in 21 and Combolaser in 20 operations. At a clinical follow-up examination carried out, on average, 51 (range 34-74) months postoperatively, a specimen was obtained from the soft palate scar for collagen analysis. Postoperative complaints of the patients were acknowledged. No differences between the laser groups were observed concerning the gross appearance of the scars or the amount and ultrastructure of collagen. Neither the frequency nor the quality of post-operative symptoms showed any differences between the lasers. Although the initial tissue effects are different, long-term remodelling produces nearly identical soft palate scars after the use of CO(2), contact Nd-YAG and Combolaser beams.

Pulsed versus continuous wave CO2 laser excisions of 100 oral fibrous hyperplasias: A randomized controlled clinical and histopathological study

“…Interestingly, the present study showed more visible scars among the patients treated with the cf mode than the cw mode 6 months after excision. In contrast to our findings, Laranne et al concluded that after 6 months the method of excision may not play an important role. Palatal scars in their study did not show any differences in clinical and histological evaluation after CO 2 , Nd:YAG and combined (CO 2 and Nd:YAG) laser uvulopharyngoplasty in humans.…”