Combination of continuous wave CO2 laser and topical application of trichloroacetic acid 50% vs CO2 laser alone the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (A case series of 6 patients).

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease of Iran and despite self-healing nature of this disease and many suggested treatments, scar is usually inevitable results of the affection with this cutaneous infection. CO2 laser in CL has a specific thermolysis effect on infected tissues and application of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 50% solution for treatment of leishmaniasis scars showed promising results.

AIM: To evaluate CO2 laser plus TCA 50% versus CO2 laser alone for treatment of CL.

PATIENTS/

METHODS

In the current report, we present 6 cases of noduloulcerative CL that were treated successfully by the combination of the continuous wave CO2 laser plus topical application of TCA 50%.

RESULTS

Five patients improved after 3 weeks of starting treatment, and 1 patient needed to repeat treatment. The scars were flat and good.

CONCLUSIONS

The CO2 laser plus topical TCA 50% may be more effective in treatment of the cutaneous leishmaniasis and results in shorter healing time.