Efficacy and Safety of Combination Laser Therapy for Scar Management following Cleft Lip Surgery in Infantile Patients: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study

Background: Postoperative scars following cleft lip surgery are frequently accompanied by cosmetic and functional problems; therefore, patients with cleft lip scars usually undergo various long-term scar treatment courses. Currently, only a limited number of fractional laser treatment cases of cleft lip scars have been reported.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination laser treatment for hypertrophic scar management following cleft lip surgery.Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 27 patients who underwent cleft lip surgery before 12 months of age. The control group comprising 13 patients received only a silicone gel or sheet for the scars, while the treatment group comprising 14 patients underwent laser treatment with a 1,550 nm non-ablative fractional erbium-glass laser, followed by a 10,600 nm ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser. Intralesional triamcinolone injection (5∼10 mg/mL) was administered immediately after laser treatment. Scar improvement was assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery using the Vancouver Scar Scale.Results: The mean total Vancouver scar scale showed a statistically significant improvement in the treatment group compared to that in the control group. In the sub-analysis of pigmentation, the vascularity, pliability, and height significantly improved in the treatment group. No differences in the patients’ baseline characteristics between the two groups were noted. No significant adverse effects were observed during the follow-up.Conclusion: Combination laser therapy using fractional lasers and intralesional triamcinolone injection is safe and effective for managing cleft lip surgery scars in infantile patients.restrictio