Efficacy of Ablative Fractional Laser-assisted Photodynamic Therapy According to the Laser Density for Actinic Keratosis

A Comparison of the Efficacy of Ablative Fractional Laser-assisted Photodynamic Therapy According to the Density of Ablative Laser Channel in the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) ablative fractional laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (AFL-PDT) has shown significant benefit for the treatment of actinic keratosis(AK). Er:YAG ablative fractional laser ablates the epidermis and dermis without significant thermal injury, creating microscopic ablation zones (MAZ) in the portion of the skin that the laser is applied to. The formed MAZ depends on the laser parameters such as laser depth, laser density and laser passes, which affect the treatment outcome.

This study evaluated whether different laser densities influenced the efficacy, side effects, cosmetic outcomes, and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) accumulation of AFL-PDT for facial AK in a randomized clinical trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Korean patients aged ≥ 18 years who had biopsy-confirmed Actinic keratosis lesions

Exclusion Criteria:

• photosensitivity disorder patients
• Lactating or pregnant women
• Patients with porphyria or a known allergy to any of the constituents of the MAL cream and lidocaine
• Patients with systemic disease, history of malignant melanoma, tendency of melasma development or keloid formation, any AK treatment of the area in the previous 4 weeks, or any conditions associated with a risk of poor protocol compliance; and patients on immunosuppressive treatment