Evaluation of the treatment of port-wine stains with the 595-nm long pulsed dye laser: a large prospective study in adult Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND

Treatments of port-wine stains with conventional pulsed dye laser yield inconsistent results.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the longer pulse duration 595-nm dye laser.

METHODS

Sixty-six adult Japanese patients were enrolled in this prospective study. The laser treatment with a cooling device was repeated 4 times at 8-week intervals with a consistent setting of 10-ms pulse duration and an energy fluence of 12 J/cm2, using 7-mm spot size.

RESULTS

Improvement of port-wine stains was observed after multiple treatments, and 67% of the patients achieved either good or excellent response after the fourth treatment. Transient purpura, edema, or both were noted immediately after each treatment (76%-79% and 58%-67%, respectively). Hyperpigmentation (8%-17%) and hypopigmentation (6%-14%) were also mild and their occurrence did not increase by repeating treatments.

LIMITATIONS: Eighty five percent of the patients were classified as having Fitzpatrick skin type IV.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that the 595-nm dye laser with 10-ms pulse duration may be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of port-wine stains in adult Asians.