الرحيم الرحمن الله بسمSudan University Of Sciences & Technology

College of Graduate Studies

The Utilization of Carbon Dioxide Laser (10600 nm) in Treatment of Skin tags

A dissertation submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of post graduate diploma of laser applications in medicine/ dermatology

BY:Dr. Yousif Tibin Mohammed Nour M. D. Dermatology

Supervisor:Dr. Babikir Osman ElbashirDr. Mahasin Mohamed Bello

October 2014

Askin tag is a small, soft , common , benign ,usually pedunclated neoplasm that is found particularly in persons who are obese . It is usually skin colored or hyper pigmented , and it may appear as surface nodules or papillomas on healthy skin . Most skin tags vary in size from 2-5 mm in diameter, although larger skin tags up to 5 cm in diameter are some times evident. The most frequent localizations are the neck and the axillae , but any skin fold , including the groin, may be affected , figure.(1.5)

Background

Background

Figure (1.5) : skin tags.

The carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser) was one of these lasers which still one of the most useful in

this field.

Background

General Objective:The objective of the study is to evaluate the

effectiveness of Carbon-Dioxide laser and it’s complications

in some Sudanese patients

OBJECTIVES

Pt.S/N

Age yrs. Sex

1 44 M

2 34 M

3 32 M

4 54 F

5 42 M

6 46 M

7 39 F

8 39 M

9 21 M

10 50 M

Pt.S/N

Sex

1 M

2 M

3 M

4 F

5 M

6 M

7 F

8 M

9 M

10 M

Pt.S/N

Site of tags

1 Neck

2 Neck Face

3 Face

4 Face

5 Axilla

6 Axilla

7 Neck

8 Neck

9 Neck

10 Thigh

Pt.S/N

Size of tags(mm)

1 2- 17

2 2-14

3 2-12

4 2-18

5 2-8

6 2-10

7 2-8

8 2-8

9 2-5

10 5

Pt.S/N

No of sessions

1 2

2 2

3 1

4 2

5 1

6 2

7 1

8 1

9 1

10 1

Pt.S/N

ComplicationsAfter treatment

1 Hypo

2 Hypoerosion

3 Hypo

4 Hypo erosion

5 Erosionpustule

6 erosion

7 Pustule

8 erosion

9 -

10 Erosion

Pt.S/N

Size of tags(mm)

No of sessions

Response to treatment

ComplicationsAfter

treatment

1 2- 17 2 v. good Hypo

2 2-14 2 v. good Hypoerosion

3 2-12 1 v. good Hypo

4 2-18 2 Good Hypo erosion

5 2-8 1 Good Erosionpustule

6 2-10 2 Good erosion

7 2-8 1 v.good

Pustule

8 2-8 1 v. good erosion

9 2-5 1 v. good -

10 5 1 v. good Erosion

Age Frequency Percentage

15 – 24 1 10%

25 – 34 2 20%

35 – 44 4 40%

45 - 54 3 30%

Total 10 100%

Site of skin tags Frequency Percentage

Neck 4 40%

Neck + Face 1 10%

Face 2 20%

Axilla 2 20%

Thigh 1 10%

Total 10 100%

Reasons for removing Frequency Percentage

Cosmetics 6 60%

Irritation 2 20%

cosmetics+ irritation 2 20%

Total 10 100%

Response to laser treatment Frequency Percentage

Excellent 0 0%

V. Good 7 70%

Good 3 30%

Bad 0 0%

Total 10 100%

Complications Frequency Percentage

Hypo pigmentation 2 20%

Erosion 3 30%

Pustule 1 10%

None 1 10%

Hypo pigmentation+ erosion 2 20%

erosion+ Pustule 1 10%

Total 10 100%

Befor After 2 weeks

Before After 2 weeks

Befor After 2 weeks

Befor After 2 weeks

This is a prospective clinical descriptive study held in the Laser Institute clinic , Sudan

University of Science and Technology 10 Sudanese patients are involved in this study , during the period from May to October 2014, after all patients agreed and signed a consent

form. The laser used was CO2 laser 10600 nm.

Materials And Methods

The parameters used were: power: 5 -8 watt , Exposure time : 0.2 sec, single mode, application

direction: held cautiously perpendicular to the tag, duration: till shrinkage of the tag or removal

of it .

Materials And Methods

CO2 Laser Surgical System .

The response of laser treatment for 7 patients (70%) was very good, 3 patients (30%) was good ,

and there were no excellent and bad response. The response to laser treatment for most

patients (70%) was very good , because small sizes of tags which taken enough power in the

first session , and others complete the treatment in the second session .

Results

Response to laser treatment.

Response to laser treatment Frequency Percentage

Excellent 0 0%

V. Good 7 70%

Good 3 30%

Bad 0 0%

Total 10 100%

From this study, we can conclude that the use of CO2 laser in treating skin tags showed upper

hand than other methods, because the CO2 laser was easy to use, the response was very good to

good, and the complications were, erosions ,pustules, hypo pigmentation and

hyper pigmentation

Conclusion

• It’s recommended to choose parameters according to the site of skin tags.

• Further researches are needed to establish the effectiveness of CO2 laser 10600 nm parameters in the treatment of skin tags.

• More researches are needed in treating skin tags by other laser types .

• Long study period is needed for good assessment of treatment and to give more time for follow up.

Recommendations

Thanks