The thesis of higher diploma student Raad Ibrahim Saleh (laser applications) was discussed.
His Thesis is entitled:
“Fractional CO2 Laser as a LADD in Treatment of Onychomycosis”
The discussion committee consisted of the professors whose names are listed:
1- Asst. Prof. Dr. Layla Mohammad Hassan / Ph.D. Laser / Life Sciences / Institute of laser for Postgraduate Studies / University of Baghdad / as a Chair Person
2- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mazen Hamid Abbas / PhD_ Laser / Dermatology / College of Medicine / University of Tikrit / as a Member
3- Consultant Dr. Ali Fadel Obaid / Board of Dermatology / Higher Diploma in Laser Applications in Medicine / Dermatology Center, Ministry of Health / as a Member and Supervisor
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fractional carbon dioxide laser in combination with topical clotrimazole cream in the treatment of nail fungus.
The thesis covered the topic of nail fungus as it is a common fungal infection and current treatments have limited applicability and low cure rates. Laser-assisted drug delivery (using fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical clotrimazole) has shown to be a safe and effective treatment for onychomycosis. This type of laser generates microscopic channels in the skin, penetrating its natural barrier and providing direct access to the underlying skin layer, facilitating drug delivery and saving Faster and greater deposition of drugs in the skin. In this study, we evaluated a 10,600 nm fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of toenail fungus.
This is a prospective, interventional treatment study conducted in the laser unit of the Dermatology and Venereology Center in the Medical City Department – Baghdad during the period from November 2022 to March 2023. Twelve adult patients between the ages of 25 and 60 years were included in the study. The diagnosis was made clinically, and confirmed by direct KOH microscopy of a nail scraping. Infected nails were divided into two groups, the first group of patients was treated with topical clotrimazole cream alone (considered as a control group) and the second group of patients was treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser followed by application of topical clotrimazole cream twice daily during treatment.
As for the results, this study included 12 patients who received twenty-four nail treatments four weeks apart and completed one to three sessions of fractional carbon dioxide laser with subsequent twice daily topical application of clotrimazole cream, the first application being immediately after the laser session. The remaining 12 toenails were treated with topical clotrimazole alone and considered as a control group. No (0%) nails showed complete healing, five (20.8%) nails showed excellent healing, 11 (45.8%) toenails showed moderate healing, four (16.6%) nails showed mild healing, and the remaining four (4) no nails ( 16.6%) no cure..
Among the most important recommendations of the thesis is that the use of a 10,600 nm carbon dioxide fractional laser as a laser-assisted treatment (LADD) and topical clotrimazole may be effective in treating nail fungus, in addition to reducing the risk of side effects that may occur with prolonged use of oral antifungals. However, further studies and longer follow-up are necessary to confirm our observation.
The researcher obtained a higher diploma with a grade of “excellence” due to his real efforts in preparing the thesis.

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