Collagen thermal damage and collagen synthesis after cutaneous laser resurfacing

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Abstract
Background and Objective: Objectively measure and compare postoperative collagen thermal damage and subsequent new collagen synthesis after cutaneous laser resurfacing using two carbon dioxide laser systems. Study Design/Materials and Methods: We created 240 resurfacing wounds on eight piglets with scanned and short‐pulsed lasers using the manufacturer's suggested settings. The wounds varied with respect to the number of laser passes and postoperative survival times. Samples were harvested for histological analysis. Results The scanned laser resulted in an average of 52% more collagen thermal damage on the day of surgery (P < 0.0001) and an average of 78% more thermal damage 3 days postoperative (P < 0.0001) than the short‐pulsed laser. The amount of new collagen synthesis correlated with the amount of thermal damage, with the scanned laser wounds showing 44% greater new collagen synthesis than the short‐pulsed laser wounds on postoperative day 7 (P < 0.0001) and 48% greater new collagen synthesis on postoperative day 14 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Compared to the short‐pulsed laser, the scanned laser results in a greater depth of collagen thermal damage with a correspondingly greater depth of new collagen synthesis after cutaneous resurfacing. Lasers Surg. Med. 23:66–71, 1998.