The treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions with the Nd:YAG laser.

The Nd:YAG laser is well suited for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions. The characteristic properties of the Nd:YAG laser emissions in tissue are a high degree of penetration with low absorption by unpigmented tissue. The result is a coagulative effect on tissue containing hemoglobin with relative skin sparing. The Nd:YAG laser was used to treat 116 patients with a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions. Good to excellent results were obtained with a low complication rate for deep cavernous and capillary lesions, port wine stains, and minor vascular ectasias above the lower extremities. Minor venous ectasias and varicosities located on the lower extremities responded poorly. The Nd:YAG laser represents an efficacious tool for the treatment of difficult vascular lesions, with the exception of venous lesions of the lower extremities.