Background: Although various destructive methods have been described for treating syringomas, they are often associated with significant scarring and recurrence. In 2007, multiple-drilling method using carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was introduced as an alternative modality to gain good cosmetic results.
Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of CO2 laser combined with botulinum toxin A (BTXA) as treatment for syringomas.
Material and methods: Forty-eight patients with periorbital syringomas were treated with topical application of BTXA immediately after CO2 laser treatment. Forty-four patients were treated with CO2 laser only.
Results: Patients who were treated with CO2 laser combined with BTXA required significantly (p = 0.038) fewer treatment sessions compared with those treated with CO2 laser only. When the clinical improvements of the two treatment sessions were compared, the combined therapy (CO2 laser and BTXA) had significantly (p = 0.044) higher rate of results showing good (disappearance of 60-80% of lesion) or excellent (80-100%) than the CO2 laser only therapy (87.5% vs. 70.5%).
Conclusions: CO2 laser combined with BTXA showed better effect than CO2 laser only.
Keywords: Botulinum toxins; lasers and light sources; syringoma; topical agents.