BACKGROUND
Laser procedures are becoming more prevalent across multiple medical specialties for a variety of indications. The plumes created by these lasers have raised concern for the dissemination of an infectious material.
OBJECTIVE
To review and summarize the information on viral dissemination in laser plumes available in the literature.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Data Sources A systematic review was performed on English and non-English articles using the PubMed and the Cochrane databases. A manual search of bibliographies from relevant articles was also performed to collect additional studies.
Study Selection
Only articles in the English language with full texts available that pertained to viral particles in laser plumes were included. Data Extraction Two authors performed independent article selections using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
There have been case reports of possible transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) by inhalation of laser-produced aerosols. Multiple investigators have attempted to recreate this scenario in the laboratory to qualify this risk. Others have conducted clinical experiments to determine the presence of HPV in laser plumes.
CONCLUSION
The current body of the literature suggests that laser surgeons are at a risk for HPV exposure by inhalation of laser-derived aerosols. We offer best practice recommendations for laser operators.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy, chemexfoliation, and ablative laser resurfacing are common practices for dermatologists, yet no formal protocols exist regarding preprocedural skin preparation.
OBJECTIVE
To review and summarize the skin preparation protocols for photodynamic therapy, chemexfoliation, and ablative laser resurfacing available in the literature.
METHODS
Data Sources A systematic review of English and non-English articles using the PubMed database was performed. A manual search of bibliographies from relevant articles was also performed to collect additional studies. Study Selection Only articles in the English language with full texts available that pertained to skin preparation for photodynamic therapy, chemexfoliation, and ablative laser resurfacing were included. Data Extraction Article selection was performed by one author, and relevant sources were verified by other authors using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
There is a paucity of scientific research regarding efficacy and safety of dermatologic preprocedural skin preparation agents. Only 2 studies have compared various cleansing agents for these measures. Yet, strong statements regarding the importance of degreasing are published without supportive data.
CONCLUSION
Consensus guidelines for preprocedural protocols are lacking for photodynamic therapy, chemexfoliation, and ablative laser resurfacing. Further studies are warranted to explore the efficacy and safety of various preprocedural cleansing agents.
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