Ablative fractional yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser for scarring residual haemangiomas and scars secondary to their surgical treatment

Background Infantile haemangiomas are benign self-involuting tumours. They have a characteristic clinical course marked by early proliferation and followed by spontaneous involution. However, residual evidence with scar formation, fibrofatty residua, atrophic wrinkling, yellowish discoloration and telangiectasias is usually seen after involution. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional yttrium-scandiumgallium- garnet (YSGG) laser in patients with residual haemangiomas or with scarring after their surgery. Methods Twelve patients with atrophic scar or fibrofatty tissue secondary to residual hemangiomas or with scarring after surgery of haemangioma were treated with one or two sessions of ablative fractional YSGG laser at 2.790-nm wavelength. Laser therapy was performed using a spot size of 300 lm, a pulse width of 600 ms, a fluence range between 120 and 200 mJ per microspot and a density level of 3. Treatment with PDL at 595-nm or with combined sequential 595 nm PDL and 1064 nm Nd: YAG was applied if telangiectasias or a residual vascular component were present. Three dermatologists evaluated treatment effectiveness by means of photographs of the patients before starting and 3 months after finishing the therapy; the degree of improvement was rated from 0 to 4. Parents' satisfaction was also assessed (scale from 0 to 10). Results Improvement was rated as 3 in two patients, 2 in four patients, 1 in five patients and no improvement in only one patient. Mean improvement was 1.58. Degree of parents' satisfaction ranged from 0 to 10. Mean satisfaction was 6.75. A discrete punctuate pattern was seen in three patients as the only long-lasting side-effect. Conclusion We consider that ablative fractional YSGG laser could be an interesting option for the treatment of selected patients with atrophic wrinkling or scarring residual haemangiomas and scars secondary to their surgical treatment.