LONG-TERM COMPARISON OF SOFT PALATE SCARS AFTER UPPP MADE BY CO2, CONTACT ND-YAG OR COMBINED CO2 AND ND-YAG LASER-BEAMS

CO2 laser, contact Nd-YAG laser and Combolaser (combined CO2 and Nd-YA G laser beam) vary distinctively in the way they interact with target tissue. To study the quality of mature scars produced by these lasers, the ultrastructure and amount of collagen in soft palate scars after 60 uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) operations were analysed. The CO2 laser was used in 19, contact Nd-YAC; in 21 and Combolaser in 20 opera tions. At a clinical follow-up examination carried out, on average, 51 (range 34-74) months postoperatively, a specimen was obtained from th e soft palate scar for collagen analysis. Postoperative complaints of the patients were acknowledged. No differences between the laser group s were observed concerning the gross appearance of the scars or the am ount and ultrastructure of collagen. Neither the frequency nor the qua lity of postoperative symptoms showed any differences between the lase rs. Although the initial tissue effects are different, long-term remod elling produces nearly identical soft palate scars after the use of CO 2, contact Nd-YAG and Combolaser beams.