Clinical and Optical Coherence Tomography Correlation of Vascular Conditions Treated With a Novel, Variable-Sequenced, Long-Pulsed, 532 and 1,064 nm Laser With Cryogen Spray Cooling.

BACKGROUND: Patients frequently seek laser treatment for vascular conditions. More recently, a novel 532 and 1,064 nm laser was developed to offer greater flexibility. OBJECTIVE: A prospective clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel, variable-sequenced, long-pulsed, 532 and 1,064 nm laser with cryogen spray cooling (DermaV, Lutronic, South Korea). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects with vascular conditions were enrolled for laser treatments. Clinical evaluations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging were performed. RESULTS: Thirteen subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 51.3 years, and 92.3% were women. Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV were included. Treatment indications included broken blood vessels, rosacea, port-wine birthmark, and spider angioma. For physician investigator grading, all subjects were graded as improved at both 30-day and 90-day follow-up. Blinded photographic review by 3 independent, blinded physicians had a mean of 89.7% of cases selected correctly with at least 2 of 3 in agreement for 100.0% of cases. Optical coherence tomography imaging showed significant reductions in vessel density ( p = .018) and diameter ( p = .003) of the superficial vascular plexus. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: A novel, variable-sequenced, long-pulsed, 532 and 1,064 nm laser with cryogen spray cooling can safely and effectively improve vascular conditions and lesions as determined by both clinical and OCT evaluation.

Cartilage Tissue Engineering for Nasal Alar and Auricular Reconstruction: A Critical Review of the Literature and Implications for Practice in Dermatologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructing defects requiring replacement of nasal or auricular cartilage after Mohs micrographic surgery can at times be challenging. While autologous cartilage grafting is considered the mainstay for repair, it may be limited by cartilage quality/quantity, donor site availability/morbidity, and surgical complications. Tissue-engineered cartilage has recently shown promise for repairing properly selected facial defects. OBJECTIVE: To (1) provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the use of tissue-engineered cartilage for nasal alar and auricular defects, and (2) discuss this technology's advantages and future implications for dermatologic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. Studies discussing nasal alar or auricular cartilage tissue engineering were included. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included. Using minimal donor tissue, tissue-engineered cartilage can create patient-specific, three-dimensional constructs that are biomechanically and histologically similar to human cartilage. The constructs maintain their shape and structural integrity after implantation into animal and human models. CONCLUSION: Tissue-engineered cartilage may be able to replace native cartilage in reconstructing nasal alar and auricular defects given its ability to overcome several limitations of autologous cartilage grafting. Although further research is necessary, dermatologic surgeons should be aware of this innovative technique and its future implications.