Fractional Laser and Steroid Ointment to Improve the Old Scar After Thyroidectomy

All patients received treatment using the same protocol with the same fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser (eCO2 PlusTM, manufactured by Lutronic, South Korea). Each patient was applied with Lidopin 5% cream (Panion \& BF Biotech Inc.), which remained on the scar for 30 min for pain relief before each laser course. Later, the Lidopin 5% cream was gently removed using a normal saline-rinsed gauze, and the scar was treated with a fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser with two passes under a 10,600 nm wavelength, 120 mm spot size, pulse energy of 50 mJ, 30 W of power, and a density of 200. A topical steroid cream (clobetasol propionate, 0.05%) was evenly applied on the scar gently back and forth using a cotton swab immediately after the laser treatment. The patients underwent five full courses by the same doctor according to the same protocol, with each course given 4 weeks apart.