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Laser Treatment of Scars

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Handbook of Burns Volume 2

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Abstract

Scars can form as a result of surgery, trauma, or even spontaneously. In many cases, they are inconspicuous and result in little discomfort. Pathological scarring like linear or widespread hypertrophic scarring or keloids often result in pronounced functional impairments and can grossly disfigure the affected patients. Thus, effective scar therapy is paramount to rehabilitate both function and aesthetics. Well-researched and oft employed techniques for scar therapy include surgical options like scar excision, tension-relieving z- and w-plasty, skin grafting, local as well as free flaps and nonsurgical options like corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, silicone-based wound gels and sheets, and many others. Further potential for scar treatment is offered through different laser treatment methods that have become increasingly popular throughout the last years. With a variety of different laser technologies being available, physicians require an in-depth knowledge about their individual properties and capabilities as well as their applicability for the treatment of different scar types to ensure safe and effective laser scar treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany

    Gerd G. Gauglitz

  2. Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Burn Center, Klinikum St. Georg gGmbH, Leipzig, Germany

    Julian Poetschke

Authors
  1. Gerd G. Gauglitz
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  2. Julian Poetschke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerd G. Gauglitz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Lars-Peter Kamolz

  2. Ross Tilley Burn Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Marc G. Jeschke

  3. Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Raymund E. Horch

  4. Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Evangelische Elisabeth Klinik Krankenhau, Berlin, Germany

    Markus Küntscher

  5. Department of Burns & Reconstructive Surgery, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

    Pavel Brychta

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Gauglitz, G.G., Poetschke, J. (2020). Laser Treatment of Scars. In: Kamolz, LP., Jeschke, M.G., Horch, R.E., Küntscher, M., Brychta, P. (eds) Handbook of Burns Volume 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34511-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34511-2_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-34510-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-34511-2

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