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)

Abstract

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.