Variable pulse frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser versus flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port wine stains.

The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (FPDL) is regarded as the gold standard in the treatment of port wine stains. The purpose of this prospective, intra-individual, comparative clinical study was to investigate whether a frequency-doubled variable pulsed Nd:YAG laser (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) is equally as safe and effective as established lasers. Forty-three patients with port wine stains were included in the study. Test treatments were performed using the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm; 4 mm psi; 5-50 ms; 5.5 to 15 J/cm2) versus the FPDL (585 nm; 450 micros; 7 mm psi; 6 J/cm2). After 6 weeks, a full lesional treatment was performed using the device and the parameters showing the best clearance and the fewest side effects. The clearance of the lesions was generally good to fair. With the exception of poor results at 5 ms and 5.5 J/cm2 with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, there were no significant differences between the two laser devices. Scar formation, nevertheless, occurred in only 3% of the FPDL-treated sites versus up to 18% of the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG sites, increasing with pulse duration. In port wine stains, the FPDL remains the therapy of choice because of the somewhat better results and a lower frequency of side effects, especially scarring.