OBJECTIVE:
To compare the histological and ultrastructural changes in skin collagen with mechanical dermabrasion and pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing in the minipig model.
SETTING:
Academic medical center.
SUBJECTS:
Yucatan minipig animal skin model.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Comparison of light microscopic and ultrastructural (electron microscopic) changes in the skin following the 2 resurfacing modalities.
RESULTS:
No significant difference in collagen histological characteristics or ultrastructure was detected between the 2 comparison groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
When mechanical dermabrasion or pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is used with similar-depth injury to the dermis in this model, the histological changes seen via light microscopy and ultrastructural changes seen via electron microscopy are similar between the 2 treatment modalities.