Plasma ablation versus super pulse CO2 laser ablation for treatment of benign eyelid margin lesions

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of plasma ablation and super pulse CO2 laser ablation for treatment of benign eyelid margin lesions. DESIGN: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative study. METHODS: Setting: institutional. STUDY POPULATION: Thirty-eight adults with unilateral clinically benign eyelid margin lesions were nonrandomly divided into two groups based on the treatment method. Lesions 10 mm, suspected premalignant or malignant lesions, and patients with active systemic disease were excluded. INTERVENTION PROCEDURES: Group 1: plasma ablation, Group 2: super pulse CO2 laser ablation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: postoperative pain, time to wound epithelialization, postoperative complications and recurrence, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Group 1 included 20 lesions, and Group 2 included 18 lesions. The mean size of the lesions was 5.7 ± 1.7 mm and 6.2 ± 1.8 mm, respectively ( P = 0.336). There was a highly significant difference between the two groups as regards mean time to wound epithelialization (9.1 ± 2.4 days in group 1 versus 21.1 ± 4.3 days in group 2, P < 0.001). Longer epithelialization time was associated with significantly greater pain ( P = 0.002). In group 2, transient hypopigmentation occurred in 2 (11.1%) patients and maldirection of eyelashes in 1 (5.6%). No recurrence was observed in either group. All (100%) patients of group 1 and 88.9% of group 2 were completely satisfied. CONCLUSION: Both plasma ablation and super pulse CO2 laser ablation are effective in the treatment of benign eyelid margin lesions with good cosmetic outcomes. The choice of the procedure should be individualized according to the patient's general condition, needs, and lesion characteristics.