Comparison of 50% trichloroacetic acid and CO2 laser in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis scar

Background and aim: The scars of the cutaneous leishmaniasis and psychologic problems of this disease needs different intervention for its correction. Our objective in this study was to compare the efficacy of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 50 percent solution and CO2 laser for treatment of the atrophic scars due to leishmaniasis. Materials and methods: This was a randomized clinical trial perfomed in 92 patients. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, first group were treated with TCA 50 percent solution, once monthly and for maximum of 5 months, second group were treated with CO2 laser that was performed for only one time. Patients were followed at 3 months and 6 months after starting treatment. The improvement of scar was graded by 6-point scale using digital camera and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software and t, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests.Results: In this study that 74 females and 18 males were followed, the improvement of scar was 48.13% in the TCA group and 44.87% in the CO2 laser group. This difference was not statistically significant (P=0.55). There was also no significant difference regarding side effects between these 2 groups. Conclusion: The results of our study showed efficacy of topical treatment with 50 percent TCA solution is comparable with CO2 laser in the treatment of leishmaniasis scar. Because of the low cost and simple application of TCA solution in comparison with CO2 laser, we suggest the use of this treatment for correction of leishmaniasis or atrophic scars.