Collagen thermal damage and collagen synthesis after cutaneous laser resurfacing

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.