Intraoperative CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

Активный компаратор: CO2 Laser Treated Edge

Устройство: CO2 Fractionated Laser

intraoperative fractionated CO₂ laser treatment of surgical wound edges

Активный компаратор: Non-laser treated edge

Процедура: Non CO2 Laser Treatment

Untreated CO2 fractionated laser wound edges

Improvement of postoperative scar appearance

To evaluate whether intraoperative fractionated CO₂ laser treatment of surgical wound edges improves postoperative scar appearance compared with untreated wound edges following Mohs micrographic surgery. Evaluating the perspective of the scar from both the patient and medical professional using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), which evaluates scar quality. Using a scale of 1-10, where 1 is "like normal skin" and 10 is the "worst imaginable and using verbal feedback from patients about the appearance of their scars.

Scar Appearance

To assess patients overall satisfaction with scar appearance. This will be done verbally with patients stating they are "satisfied, somewhat satisfied, or not satisfied".

Physician Scar Assessments

A group of blinded medical professionals will assess the treated and untreated scar using several standardized assessments. The first is the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), which evaluates scar quality. Using a scale of 1-10, where 1 is "like normal skin" and 10 is the "worst imaginable. The second is the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). This scale evaluates scars across 4 physical characteristics using a score range of 0-13, where 0 represents normal skin and 13 represents the most severe scarring. Finally the third assessment is the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). This scale looks at how much better the patient looks compared to pre-surgery. This scale uses a scoring range of 1-5, where 1 represents exceptional improvement and 5 represents worse.

Clinical Safety and Healing Outcomes.

To evaluate the safety of intraoperative fractionated CO₂ laser treatment, including healing time and complication rates. During the follow up visits the physician will do conduct a visual assessment for presence of any infection, dehiscence, poor wound healing. The physician will use a global assessment of 1-5 and the formal Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), which evaluates scar quality. Using a scale of 1-10, where 1 is "like normal skin" and 10 is the "worst imaginable.