Edward Glassberg

Demonstration of elevated type I and type III procollagen mRNA levels in cutaneous wounds treated with helium-neon laser: Proposed mechanism for enhanced wound healing

To assess laser modulation of wound healing, full-thickness cutaneous wounds were produced in the backs of pigs, and subjected to treatment with helium-neon laser. For comparison, some wounds were treated with non-laser energy source (a tungsten light) or left untreated as controls. Type I and type III procollagen mRNA levels were determined in the wounds by molecular hybridization with cDNA probes. The results indicated that type I and type III mRNA levels were markedly increased at days 17 and 28 of the healing in wounds treated with He-Ne laser, when compared to control or tungsten light-treated wounds. The results suggest that helium-neon laser stimulates wound healing by enhancing procollagen gene expression. These observations may have relevance to previous clinical studies suggesting that helium-neon laser stimulates wound healing.

Current trends in laser blepharoplasty. Results of a survey.

background The use of lasers in cosmetic surgery has been expanded fairly recently to include blepharoplasties. Controversy exists as to the efficacy of this procedure. This survey is designed to gain an understanding of the efficacy of blepharoplasty performed by laser versus conventional scalpel techniques. methods A group of surgeons who perform the procedure were questioned. Over 4,000 cases of upper and lower lid laser blepharoplasty were reported by the responding physicians. results The results of this survey indicate that carbon dioxide is by far the most common laser used in laser blepharoplasty (96%). A laser is used as a sole cutting tool by 70% of the responders and as a sole hemostasis tool by 88% of surgeons. Overall, both the intraoperative time and postoperative recovery period were reported as significantly reduced when blepharoplasty is performed by laser as compared with scalpel. In general, the incidences of edema, ecchymosis, and postoperative pain were reported as less severe with laser. No serious complications related to the laser were documented by the survey responders. conclusions This study confirms that laser blepharoplasty techniques can be safe and effective in skilled hands and may even have some potential advantages over conventional blepharoplasty.

Increased Wound-Healing Rate In Pig Skin Treated By Helium-Neon Laser.

We have demonstrated that 11cNc, laws stimulate collagen synthesis both in human stun fibroblast cultures and hairless mice in vivo. Subscqucnt studies on pig skin have also idcntificd the mechanism of the collagen stimulation. Both type 1 and typc 111 procolagcn mRNA, levels were markcdly elevated at day 17 and 26 in wounds treated by laser. Furthermore, typo ill procollagen was cicvatcd in carly stages of wound healing, at day 10, confirming the notion that typc 111 collagen accumulation precedes that of typc 1 in wound healing processes. (for summary,please see table and references below)

Combined Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing and TCA Chemical Peel

Currently, various modalities such as phenol and TCA peels and dermabrasion are available for regeneration of the aged skin. A prior study by our group has demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of CO2 laser resurfacing in treating actinically damaged skin of the entire face with concomitant histologic improvement characterized by elimination of the solar elastosis and replacement by new collagen bundles. In the present study, we have taken this approach one step further and are presenting results of a series of 130 patients treated with combined CO2 laser resurfacing and trichloracetic acid (TCA) chemical peeling. The laser is used primarily for wrinkles, keratotic lesions, and pigmentary changes; and TCA is used to blend affected and unaffected skin. Fewer complications were noted with CO2 laser resurfacing/TCA peels than with phenol peels or dermabrasion. This combined technique can be a useful modality in the cosmetic as well as therapeutic treatment of the aged skin, as marked clinical and histologic improvement has been demonstrated.

Wound Repair By Laser Welding

In this study, we have developed a concept of wound closure by laser welding and studied the wound healing process. In the first set of experiments, six-millimeter long, full-thickness incisions were made in the skin on the back of hairless mice. Control wounds were closed with interrupted 5-0 prolene suture. The experimental wounds were approximated and closed by laser welding using a Nd:YAG (1.06 μm) laser. Selected wounds were excised for histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, tensile strength determination and assay of type I collagen specific messenger-RNA. The laser welded wounds demonstrated rapid healing with good cosmetic results. The tensile strength was identical both for laser welded and sutured wounds at 7, 16, and 21 days. A significant increase of type I collagen specific mRNA was noted in both specimens at 4, 10 and 16 days, but a higher level was recorded in the sutured specimens at day 16 (2652 vs. 911 U/pg total RNA). We further initiated a comparative study to identify the laser which would be most suitable for skin welding. For this purpose argon, Nd:YAG (1.06 μm and 1.32 μm) and CO2 lasers were used to weld skin. Wound healing, tensile strength and collagen analyses were performed. The results indicated that both argon and Nd:YAG (1.32 μm) lasers achieved the most effective closure. These results suggest that laser welding provides an efficient method for closing skin wounds. The laser welding has clear advantages over conventional suturing techniques, being sterile, non-tactile, not requiring introduction of foreign materials into the wound, and providing improved cosmetic results.