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.