Combination of 1,064-nm Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser and Steroid Tape Decreases the Total Treatment Time of Hypertrophic Scars: An Analysis of 40 Cases of Cesarean-Section Scars

BACKGROUNDThe 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (Cutera, Inc., Brisbane, CA) and steroid tape (fludroxycortide tape) have been used to treat keloids and hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of contact-mode 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy and steroid tape for hypertrophic cesarean-section scars versus conservative therapy (steroid tape only). MATERIALS AND METHODSA medical record review identified 40 consecutive Japanese patients who had hypertrophic scars (total Japan Scar Workshop Scar Scale [JSS] 2015 evaluation scores of 9 to 12) for more than 1 year after a vertical cesarean section and who were treated at our scar-specialist clinic from July 2015 to December 2017. All 40 patients continued treatment until the total JSS score dropped below 3. Recurrence was defined as a ≥1-point increase in the total JSW score 6 months after achieving a total JSS score