Observation on therapeutic effect of carbon dioxide fractional laser on scar after unilateral cleft lip operation

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2026.04.012

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO₂) fractional laser in the treatment of post-operative scars following cleft lip repair. METHODS: A total of 36 patients who underwent primary repair of unilateral cleft lip at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2023 to March 2024 were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=18) and the control group (n=18). The experimental group received CO₂ fractional laser treatment 1 month after surgery combined with silicone gel application and massage therapy; the control group only received silicone gel application and massage therapy. One year postoperatively, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to objectively evaluate scar recovery. RESULTS: One year after surgery, the scars of patients in both groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.001); the total VSS score of the experimental group (1.72±0.18) was significantly lower than that of the control group (3.94±0.27), and the improvements in scar thickness and hardness were more significant (P<0.001); there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in color and vascular distribution (P>0.05), but the mean values of the experimental group were lower, showing potential clinical improvement. No obvious adverse reactions occurred in all patients during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CO₂ fractional laser treatment effectively improves the morphology and texture of scars following cleft lip repair, making it worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Key words: Carbon dioxide fractional laser, Cleft lip, Vancouver scar scale, Scar treatment

CLC Number:

R782.2

Chi Haoshu, Shen Lingyue, Xie Jiahui, Wu Yubo, Cai Ming. Observation on therapeutic effect of carbon dioxide fractional laser on scar after unilateral cleft lip operation[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2026, 24(4): 396-400.

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