Fractional CO Laser Contributes to the Treatment of Non-segmental Vitiligo As an Adjunct Therapy: a Systemic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Lasers Med Sci

Publisher Springer

Date 2018 Apr 27

PMID 29696444

Citations 4

Authors

Yu-Jen Chiu

Cherng-Kang Perng

Hsu Ma

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo is often challenging, which new therapies are being searched. Multiple clinical trials have proposed the benefits and safety of using fractional carbon dioxide (CO) laser as an adjunct therapy to conventional treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser as a combination therapy to conventional treatments in patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo. A literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed for comparative studies among vitiligo patients treated with additional fractional CO laser. Clinical outcomes in the selected studies were compared, and a meta-analysis was performed via Review Manager version 5.3, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Six studies with a total of 184 patches/patients were included in the present meta-analysis. The combination therapy group had significantly superior results than that of the control group (≥ 75% re-pigmentation, risk ratio [RR] 2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-6.07; ≥ 50% re-pigmentation, RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.23-5.9; < 25% re-pigmentation, RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.75). Limitations of the study included the small number of studies and sample size, inadequate blinding of participants, and variation between therapy protocols. Meta-analysis revealed that using fractional CO laser in combination with conventional treatments is efficient and safe, and may be considered as an adjunct therapeutic option for patients with refractive non-segmental vitiligo.

Citing Articles

Fractional CO laser combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy versus NB-UVB monotherapy in vitiligo patients: prospective, self-controlled, and randomized trial.

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Exploring the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser as an Add-on Combination to Conventional Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Vitiligo (A Review Article).

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