Improve post surgical comfort and minimise residual visible scarring

The EkkyLite Laser Assisted Skin Healing system (LASH) is the newest most innovative piece of equipment available to improve surgical outcomes.

Surgeons have been trained for generations that scarring is an inevitable part of the surgical process and so for them, it is a part of a day's work. This is not the case for their patients. Whilst surgeons spend their days creating scars as a natural by-product of their important work, their patients do not and for them scarring is a major concern.

The EkkyLite LASH system enables you to provide your patients with the treatment they need whilst guaranteeing them the best possible final result.

In a paper recently published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, entitled "Scar Prevention Using Laser-Assisted Skin Healing (LASH) in Plastic Surgery", Capon et al. concluded that

"This prospective comparative trial demonstrates that an 810-nm diode-laser treatment performed immediately after surgery can improve the appearance of a surgical scar. This study demonstrates also that an optimal dose is required. Further studies may be warranted to optimize 810-nm diode-laser parameters for scar revision, reduction, and prevention and to understand the cellular mechanisms leading to laser-induced wound healing. LASH (Laser-Assisted Skin Healing) should certainly be utilized to improve the appearance of both hypertrophic and keloid scars".

They also commented that "The use of lasers allows a paradigm shift from passive to active prevention of hypertrophic scar formation".

Clinical Rationale

The EkkyLite LASH system operates on the basis of controlled thermal stress. The EkkyLite laser heats the wound site in a controlled manner which causes the over-expression of heat shock proteins. Capon et al state that "Heat shock response (in particular HSP70 synthesis) is responsible for the release and production of growth factors (in particular via the modification of the TGFb profile), thus increasing the rate of cell proliferation and the speed of collagen production, hence improving scar aspect"*.

 

The System

The EkkyLite LASH system comprises a hand held 810nm red diode laser unit, a safety strip component and a sterile sheath.

The hand held unit is battery powered and weighs approximately 600g. There are no controls for setting the parameters for the laser however there is a screen at the rear to enable you to see what the laser is doing at all times.

There are no controls on the hand piece as the laser is controlled by an RFID chip which is contained within the safety strip. There are two strips available for use with the EkkyLite, the first is for patients with skin phototypes i-III and the other is for patients with skin phototype IV. At this time the unit is not suitable for use on patients with skin phototypes V or VI.

The laser reads the data stored on the selected strip and applies the settings ready for use. Once the area has been treated, the laser writes to the chip on the safety strip which prevents the same area being re-treated avoiding the risk of overdose and superficial burns.

Treatment Protocol

Treatment protocol for the EkkyLite LASH system calls for a single treatment of the wound at the time of closure or if this is not possible, within the initial inflammatory phase (usually out to around 10 days post op).

Prior to performing the treatment, the surgeon must decide if the patient's skin phototype is in groups I-III or in group IV. Depending on the patient's phototype, the appropriate safety strip is chosen.

All people present in the treatment area should put their protective goggles on. The theatre staff should then switch on the laser and apply the sterile sheath to the hand piece and have this ready. Whilst this is being done, the surgeon applies the self adhesive safety strip to the patient's skin just below the wound so that the newly created scar is visible through the hatched area of the safety strip. This part of the strip can then separated and disposed of.

The treatment is now ready to begin. The surgeon places the chip reader block onto the first 2cm portion of the safety strip (this is clearly marked) and ensures the aiming beam is on the wound. The laser unit will register the safety strip and a message will appear on the laser's screen. The LED's on the laser will turn green indicating that the laser is ready to fire. The surgeon then simply presses the buttons on either side of the hand piece and the laser fires a continuous shot lasting between 10-13 seconds. When the shot is done, the laser stops firing and a sound is emitted. The surgeon then moves to the next 2cm section of strip and fires again. This process is continued along the length of the wound.

One single treatment is all that is needed and no special after care is required.

Results

The results that you can expect following treatment with the EkkyLite LASH system come in two parts. These can be seen immediately post op and then at scar maturity around 12 months following the treatment.

Immediately post op, patients treated with the EkkyLite report less itching, burning, tightening and redness of the wound which combined offers improved post surgical comfort.

As the scar matures, the improvement in scar aspect becomes apparent. In the clinical trial conducted on the EkkyLite system, 83% of patients reported a significant improvement in the treated portion of their scar as opposed to the untreated portion at 12 months post op.

To arrange a visit from one our reps or simply request some more information just click here