Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) Laser Versus Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) Laser for Treatment of Onychomycosis

• Published in: Lasers in surgery and medicine 2020, Vol.52 (7), p.621-626
• Main Authors: Elmorsy, Eman H, Abou Khadr, Nouran A, Taha, Alsayeda A A, Abdel Aziz, Doaa M
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1096-9101
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.23200

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESTo compare the efficacy of the long-pulsed Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser versus the Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser in treatment of onychomycosis. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a prospective cohort study. It was carried out on 20 patients with clinical and mycological evidence of onychomycosis who were randomly assigned into two groups; group I: included 10 patients treated with biweekly sessions of long-pulsed Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser and group II; included 10 patients treated with monthly sessions of Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser. The assessment was done using proximal nail measurement and microscopic examination using 10-20% potassium hydroxide solution and culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. All patients were followed up for 6 months after the last treatment session. RESULTSFungal isolates in the present study were grouped into yeast in 50%, non-dermatophyte moulds in 10%, while dermatophyte infection was detected in 40%. Each group showed a statistically significant improvement in proximal nail plate measurements with no statistically significant difference between both groups. Mycological cure was only achieved in 40% of group I and 30% of group II. Patient satisfaction was higher in group II. CONCLUSIONSBoth long-pulsed Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser systems can be used as a safe and effective modality in the treatment of onychomycosis, particularly in patients who refuse or have a contraindication to oral antifungal treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:00-00, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.