Flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in treatment of port-wine stains.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (Photogeneca V, Synosure Corp, Boston, United States) in the treatment of port-wine stains.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-four consecutive patients with port-wine stains were treated with a flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1998 to August 1999.

RESULTS

Of 194 patients who completed treatment, 56.2% had more than 60% fading of the lesion and only 6.7% had less than 20% fading. An average of 3.6 treatments were needed to achieve more than 60% fading. The response was better in children than in adults, although the difference was not significant. Pigmentary change (usually transient) occurred in 3.1% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the efficacy of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port-wine stains in children and adults.