The 585-nm PDL is effective and safe in improving the quality and cosmetic appearance of surgical scars in skin types I-IV starting on the day of suture removal.

MMS is an effective treatment of DFSP.

background. Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an inherited condition marked by multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) associated with several other abnormalities. Various treatment modalities have been used to eradicate these tumors. However, recurrences and scarring limit their use. objective. To evaluate the treatment of multiple BCCs associated with BCNS. methods. We describe three cases of BCNS in which multiple BCCs were effectively treated with ultrapulse CO 2 laser. Post-operative Mohs micrographic surgical sections (thin sections looking for residual tumor) verified complete histologic clearance of the tumors. results. All three patients were effectively treated with ultrapulse CO 2 laser. Minimal scarring was noted at follow-up. conclusion. Ultrapulse CO 2 laser can be used to effectively treat small BCCs in low-risk areas associated with BCNS with minimal posttreatment scarring.

Er:YAG laser resurfacing of the hands, forearms, and neck may be safely performed. Topical anesthesia alone is inadequate, healing takes up to 3 weeks, and cosmetic improvement is minimal with the parameters used in this study.

No abstract

background. Pigmented hypertrophic scars are a difficult condition to treat. They may result from traumatic injuries or from surgical and cosmetic procedures. The 585 nm flashlamp‐pumped pulsed dye laser (FLPDL) has been used to treat this condition, with significant improvement of varying degrees. It remains to be determined whether other laser modalities may have a similar or even greater success in the treatment of pigmented hypertrophic scars. objective. To determine the efficacy of the 532 nm frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of pigmented hypertrophic scars as compared to the 585 nm FLPDL. methods. Six patients with pigmented hypertrophic scars and skin phototypes II–IV were chosen. A scar was selected for treatment in each patient and divided into four equal 2 cm segments. Three segments were each treated with a different laser modality and one was left untreated to serve as the control. A 585 nm FLPDL was used with an energy of 3.5 J, a pulse duration of 450 μsec, and a 10 mm spot size. A 532 nm Q‐switched frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG laser was set to an energy of 2.8 J, a 10‐nsec pulse, and a 3 mm spot size. The same 532 nm laser was set to the variable pulse mode to treat a 2 cm scar segment, with an energy of 9.5 J, a 10‐msec pulse, and a 4 mm spot size. An average of 3.3 treatments were performed on each scar segment, at intervals of 4–6 weeks and long‐term follow‐up at 22 weeks. Treatment outcome was graded by a blind observer using the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Burn Scar Assessment Scale. A SigmaStat t‐test was used to determine the statistical significance of the values obtained. results. Treatment of pigmented hypertrophic scars with the 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser led to a significant improvement of 38% in the VGH scores when compared to baseline (P = .005). The 585 nm FLPDL also had a favorable effect on the scars, with an average improvement of 36.1% in the VGH scores. There was no significant difference noted between the outcome of treatment with either of these two lasers. Treatment with the 532 nm variable pulse Nd:YAG laser led to a 19% improvement in the VGH scores of scars, which did not differ significantly from the 16.1% improvement observed in control scars on the last follow‐up visit. No side effects or complications from treatment were noted or reported during the course of the study. At the conclusion of the study, five of six patients chose the segment treated with the 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser as the best segment overall. conclusion. The 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser and the 585 nm FLPDL offer comparable favorable results in the treatment of pigmented hypertrophic scars. The 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser may be preferred by patients particularly distressed by the dark color of their scars.

We offer Mohs as an option for treating MEC.

The ability to close biopsy sites primarily without the need for removing sutures is obvious. However, it was unclear whether absorbable sutures could be used for this purpose. We prospectively studied 10 healthy volunteers on whom one 3 mm punch biopsy was performed on each arm. In each subject two sutures were compared for closure of the biopsy sites, polyglactin 910 and nylon. Our primary goal was to compare absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures in the closure of punch biopsy sites. Each site was closed with one simple percutaneous suture. The sites were evaluated at 2 weeks and 6 months for redness, infection, dehiscence, scar hypertrophy, and patient satisfaction. We found no statistically significant difference between the two suture materials in any of the above parameters. Therefore we conclude that absorbable sutures are a good alternative in the primary closure of skin biopsy sites.