Comparison of Wound Repair after Irradiation of Rat Skin with 1064 nm Nd:YAG, CO2, and Er:YAG Lasers

Kim, Hyun Jo; Lee, Gang Mo; Park, Young Lip; Lee, Jong Suk; Whang, Kyu Uang; Lee, Sung Yul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Laser therapy for various skin conditions is one of the most common procedures in dermatology. Recently, several articles described the use of 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers for the treatment of benign skin lesions. Such treatment is known to trigger its therapeutic effect through a photoacoustic effect and selective photothermolysis effect. However, only a limited number of articles have dealt with the theoretical base of the photoacoustic effect of the 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the wound repair process and nonselective tissue heat damage induced by three different laser modalities: the CO2 laser, Er:YAG laser, and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
METHODS
We irradiated the skin of an albino rat (Sprague Dawley(R), 200~250 g) with CO2, Er:YAG, and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers. Skin biopsy specimens of the irradiated areas were collected on the first, fifth, and tenth day after laser exposure. For histologic analysis, the specimens were stained with the H&E, Verhoff-Van Gieson, and Masson's trichrome protocols.
RESULTS
Compared with other laser modalities, rat skin irradiated by the 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser showed the least amount of heat damage and the quickest tissue repair response to the damage.
CONCLUSION
A 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a photoacoustic effect capable of ablating the epidermis and dermis can be a proper treatment modality for the removal of benign skin lesions. The 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser may be considered as an alternative treatment option for the treatment of benign skin lesions.