A Study on the 216 Cases of Vascular Skin Lesion Treated by 585nm Flashlamp-Pumped Pulsed Dye Laser

Ahn, Hyo Hyun; Kye, Young Chul; Kim, Soo Nam

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 585nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser(FPDL) is a very effective treatment modality for vascular skin lesions with minimal risk of scarring by selective photothermolysis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FPDL in treating various vascular lesions in Korean patients, and in order to be helpful in expecting the treatment outcome and selecting the patients.
METHODS
216 cases treated with FPDL because of vasular skin lesions- nevus flammeus, telangiectasia, hemangioma and others- were included in this study. The results of the treatment were evaluated in the point of site, color, size, surface contour of lesions and patient's age in each condition. Photographs were obtained at baseline and 4~8 week intervals postoperatively. The results were assessed by two blinded assessors and surgeon after laser surgery, based on a scale of: poor for 0~25% improvement; fair for 25~50% improvement; good for 50~75% improvement; and excellent for 75~100% improvement.
RESULTS
The commonest disease for treatment was nevus flammeus, followed by telangiectasia and strawberry hemangioma. In nevus flammeus, the lesions at upper eyelids, lower eyelids, upper lip skin and lesions which were darker in color and more elevated, responded less favorably. Age and sex of patients didn't affect the outcome. In telangiectasia, the results of treatment were above good in 83% of cases. In strawberry hemangioma, the results of treatment were above good in 73% of cases.
CONCLUSION
FPDL is very effective in various vascular lesions, but one must keep in mind the differences in treatment outcome according to sites, color, size, surface contour of lesions.