摘要
Background Recent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd：YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd：YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis. Methods Thirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups （Ⅱ degree,Ⅲ degree, and IV degree） according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients （78 nails） in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients （76 nails） in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval. Results In group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions Long pulse Nd：YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.
Background Recent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd：YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd：YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis. Methods Thirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups （Ⅱ degree,Ⅲ degree, and IV degree） according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients （78 nails） in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients （76 nails） in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval. Results In group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions Long pulse Nd：YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.
