Clinical efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing in treating old self-inflicted scars with hypopigmentation

Zhu Yifu; Liu Ling; Song Baoqiang; Fan Xing; Yin Yue; Li Tong; Xue Ping; Dou Wenjie; Yang Qing

doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn501225-20251230-00558

Volume 42 Issue 4

Apr. 2026

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Article Navigation > CHINESE JOURNAL OF BURNS AND WOUNDS > 2026 > 42(4): 332-341

Zhu YF,Liu L,Song BQ,et al.Clinical efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing in treating old self-inflicted scars with hypopigmentation[J].Chin J Burns Wounds,2026,42(4):332-341.DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501225-20251230-00558.

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Clinical efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing in treating old self-inflicted scars with hypopigmentation

doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501225-20251230-00558

Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China

Funds:

General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China 82372530

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Corresponding author: Yang Qing, Email: anny0723hi@126.com
Received Date: 2025-12-30

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing in treating old self-inflicted scars with hypopigmentation. Methods This study was a retrospective cohort study. From January 1^st, 2018 to October 31^st, 2025, 136 patients with old self-inflicted forearm scars accompanied by hypopigmentation who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. There were 41 males and 95 females, aged 13 to 25 years. Based on the treatment methods of scars, the patients were categorized into laser-only group (79 patients, 602 scars) receiving fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment alone and combined treatment group (57 patients, 530 scars) receiving fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing. A total of 4 laser treatments were performed in each patient. Before the first treatment (hereinafter referred to as before treatment) and at 6 months after the last treatment (hereinafter referred to as 6 months after treatment), the modified observer scar assessment scale (OSAS) was used to independently score each scar in 4 dimensions: thickness, roughness, softness, and width; the scar hypopigmentation was assessed based on the color scoring principles of the Vancouver scar scale, and the improvement rate of scar hypopigmentation was calculated. The independent factors influencing the width and improvement of hypopigmentation of scars were screened. At 6 months after treatment, the satisfaction degree of patients or their family members with the scar treatment efficacy was recorded, and the satisfaction rate was calculated. The adverse reaction occurred during the treatment process was documented, and the incidence of adverse reaction was calculated. Results At 6 months after treatment, the scores for scar thickness, roughness, and softness in the modified OSAS in laser-only group and combined treatment group of patients (with t values of 35.381, 29.184, 37.659 and 36.158, 29.995, 38.596, respectively, P<0.05), as well as the score for scar width in the modified OSAS in combined treatment group of patients (t=17.595, P<0.05) were significantly lower than those before treatment. The scar width score in the modified OSAS at 6 months after treatment in combined treatment group of patients was significantly lower than that in laser-only group (with mean difference of -0.48, 95% CI of -0.56 to -0.40, t=12.080, P<0.05). The difference in scar width score in the modified OSAS between 6 months after treatment and before treatment in combined treatment group and laser-only group of patients was -0.39±0.51 and 0.04±0.56, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=13.545, P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the scar treatment method was an independent factor influencing the improvement of scar width in patients (β=-0.426, with 95% CI of -0.490 to -0.363, t=-13.142, P<0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the degree of scar hypopigmentation between before treatment and at 6 months after treatment in combined treatment group of patients (Z=-3.594, P<0.05). The improvement rate of scar hypopigmentation in combined treatment group of patients at 6 months after treatment was 16.23% (86/530), which was significantly higher than 3.65% (22/602) in laser-only group (χ²=51.618, P<0.05). The results of binary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the scar treatment method was an independent factor influencing the improvement of scar hypopigmentation in patients (OR=5.378, with 95% CI of 3.293 to 8.781, P<0.05). At 6 months after treatment, the satisfaction rate of patients or their family members in combined treatment group with the treatment efficacy of scars was significantly higher than that in laser-only group (χ²=6.458, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in combined treatment group of patients during treatment was 17.54% (10/57), which was significantly higher than 3.80% (3/79) in laser-only group (P<0.05). Conclusions Fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with latanoprost ophthalmic solution wet dressing demonstrates significant efficacy in treating old self-inflicted scars with hypopigmentation. It is significantly superior to fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment alone in terms of improvement in scar width and hypopigmentation, and the satisfaction of patients.
- Cicatrix,
- Laser therapy,
- Self-injurious behavior,
- Fractional carbon dioxide laser,
- Hypopigmentation,
- Latanoprost ophthalmic solution

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References(42)

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