1,064 nm Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Onychomycosis / 대한의진균학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is the most common disease of the nails. The traditional treatment of onychomycosis requires long term medication of antifungal agent that is associated with drug interaction, so many patients had been limited its use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of onychomycosis with 1,064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. METHODS: Between April 2012 and March 2013, we selected 18 nails (14 toenails, 4 fingernails) and treat over three to eight sessions every 4 weeks. RESULTS: For all 10 patients with 18 affected nails, 88.9% mycological (culture) clearance was observed after sixth sessions. At their final follow-up visit, 9 of 18 nails had more than 50% efficacy and the others had 30~50% clinical improvement. The overall average improvement rate was 55.5%. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrates that a 1,064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser may represent a safe and viable option for the treatment of onychomycosis. The optimal regimen for each patient needs to be determined.