The Effect of CO2Laser Intervention on Recurrence Prevention After Keloid Ulcer Healing
Xiqiao Wang , Jiarong Yu, Yan Liu
BACKGROUND
Keloid ulcer is a refractory clinical entity characterized by abnormal fibroproliferation, persistent ulceration, and high recurrence rates, which severely impacts patients’ quality of life. Clinically, it often presents with symptoms such as localized pain, pruritus, and repeated exudation, and conventional treatments (e.g., surgical debridement, intralesional corticosteroid injection, or topical medication) face limitations: they can promote short-term ulcer healing but fail to effectively inhibit keloid hyperplasia, leading to recurrence rates as high as 60%–80% within 1 year after initial healing.
Given the lack of standardized strategies for preventing keloid ulcer recurrence, exploring minimally invasive and effective intervention methods (such as laser therapy) has become a key focus in dermatological and plastic surgery research. CO2 laser, as a widely used ablative laser, has shown potential in regulating fibroblast activity and reducing abnormal collagen deposition in keloid treatment; however, its efficacy and safety in preventing recurrence after keloid ulcer healing remain underreported.
CONCLUSION
Fractional CO2 laser intervention (administered once every 2 months for 5 sessions, starting 1 month after keloid ulcer healing) exhibits significant efficacy in reducing keloid volume, relieving associated symptoms (pruritus and pain), and halting recurrence in 50% of patients over a 12-month period. However, the treatment cannot completely eliminate the risk of recurrence, as half of the patients still developed mild recurrent lesions. These findings suggest that CO2 laser may serve as a promising adjuvant therapy for preventing keloid ulcer recurrence, but its clinical application should be combined with long-term follow-up. Future studies with larger sample sizes, randomized controlled designs, and exploration of combined therapies (e.g., laser + intralesional drug injection) are needed to further optimize recurrence prevention strategies for this refractory condition.
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