Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: Preliminary observations on short-term follow-up - A subjective study of 100 patients' attitudes and outcomes

BACKGROUND. Carbon dioxide (CO,) laser resurfacing is enjoying broad medical acclaim: It is useful to assess patient morbidity and satisfaction with this procedure. OBJECTIVE. Review the procedure from the patients' perspective with particular focus on the immediate and medium term postoperative period, the patient's progress after the initial 6-8-week period, the postoperative morbidity and complication rate, and the results and patient satisfaction with the procedure. METHOD. One hundred resurfacing patients, who were treated after the advent of the computer pattern generator on a high-energy short-pulse CO, laser, were studied. Patients were at least 3 months into their postoperative phase. RESULTS. Outcomes of patients' problems were classed as good to excellent 78.8% of the time. Patient outcomes met the patients' preoperative expectations 68.9% of the time. Patients would have the procedure again if needed 78% of the time, and 84% would recommend the procedure to others. Patients reported continuing improvement after the initial 6-8-week healing period 72% of the time. Short-term morbidity was high (49%). Long-term complications were registered in 7% of patients but were mostly minor in Mature. CONCLUSIONS. Major indications for laser resurfacing such as wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scarring all appeared to do well with CO, laser resurfacing. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.