BACKGROUND: Approximately 50-75% lightening of port-wine stains is achieved within two to three treatments with pulsed dye laser therapy, but the incidence of complete clearing is variable. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to: 1) assess the ability of continued repetitive pulsed dye laser treatments to further lighten persistent port-wine stains; 2) evaluate the factors contributing to the resistance of port-wine stains to laser therapy; and 3) determine the relative risk of adverse effects following repetitive treatments to the same area. METHODS: A retrospective photographic analysis was performed of 69 patients that failed to achieve greater than 75% lesional lightening within nine treatment sessions. The percentage improvement was assessed by comparing the degree of lightening at the last treatment to that of the midway point of treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement in port-wine stain lightening, from the midway to last treatment, was seen in patients who had 10-25 repetitive treatments. CONCLUSION: Repetitive treatments with the pulsed dye laser can lead to improvement in the overall lightening of persistent port-wine stains without an increased risk of adverse effects.
BACKGROUND: Approximately 50-75% lightening of port-wine stains is achieved within two to three treatments with pulsed dye laser therapy, but the incidence of complete clearing is variable. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to: 1) assess the ability of continued repetitive pulsed dye laser treatments to further lighten persistent port-wine stains; 2) evaluate the factors contributing to the resistance of port-wine stains to laser therapy; and 3) determine the relative risk of adverse effects following repetitive treatments to the same area. METHODS: A retrospective photographic analysis was performed of 69 patients that failed to achieve greater than 75% lesional lightening within nine treatment sessions. The percentage improvement was assessed by comparing the degree of lightening at the last treatment to that of the midway point of treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement in port-wine stain lightening, from the midway to last treatment, was seen in patients who had 10-25 repetitive treatments. CONCLUSION: Repetitive treatments with the pulsed dye laser can lead to improvement in the overall lightening of persistent port-wine stains without an increased risk of adverse effects.
Authors: Jennifer K Chen; Pedram Ghasri; Guillermo Aguilar; Anne Margreet van Drooge; Albert Wolkerstorfer; Kristen M Kelly; Michal Heger Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2012-02-03 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Igor Snast; Moshe Lapidoth; Ran Kaftory; Adi Nosrati; Emmilia Hodak; Daniel Mimouni; Efrat Solomon-Cohen; Assi Levi Journal: Lasers Med Sci Date: 2021-02-13 Impact factor: 3.161
Authors: Jennifer Channual; Bernard Choi; Kathryn Osann; Daniel Pattanachinda; Justin Lotfi; Kristen M Kelly Journal: Lasers Surg Med Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 4.025