Treatment of Facial Burn Scars With CO₂ Laser Resurfacing and Thin Skin Grafting

Abstract

Background: 

Facial burns are very common and have significant clinical impact. Facial scars are easily recognized in the community and become a source of lifelong guilt, shame, and regret for the patients. In the presented clinical study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CO₂ laser resurfacing and thin skin grafting for burn scars of face.

Methods: 

Sixteen white men, whose ages ranged from 20 to 26 years (mean, 22 y), were operated on for elimination of facial burn scars. Burn areas were de-epithelialized by CO₂ laser. Each area was grafted with a split-thickness skin graft. The follow-up period for these patients ranged from 3 to 15 months, with a mean follow-up period of 9 months.

Results: 

The scars were successfully treated and converted to a socially acceptable appearance. The color match was good or excellent in all patients. No new hypertrophic scar developed.

Conclusions: 

Facial burn scars may be dermabraded in a short time, and a bloodless and smooth raw surface may be created by a flashed-scanned CO₂ laser. The CO₂ laser resurfacing and thin skin grafting method is effective in treating facial burn scars.