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A Retrospective Study

Christian Raulin, MD; Careen A. Schroeter, MD; Robert A. Weiss, MD; Michael Keiner, MD; Saskia Werner, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1999;135:679-683.

Objective  We investigated whether a noncoherent intense pulsed light source (IPLS) would be effective in therapy of port-wine stains (PWSs).

Design  To evaluate the efficacy in treatment of PWSs with IPLS, a retrospective study was initiated.

Setting  The data were collected by physicians working in private practices and departments of university hospitals and medical centers, respectively.

Patients  A total of 37 randomly selected patients with a total of 40 PWSs were included in the study. Clinical PWS characteristics recorded were color and location of the PWS.

Interventions  All patients were treated with IPLS.

Main Outcome Measures  Data collected included treatment parameter (filters, pulse duration, fluence, and pulse sequencing), percentage of clearance, and side effects (purpura, blisters, crusting, altered pigmentation, and scarring).

Results  Good and complete (70%-100%) clearance was achieved in 28 of 40 PWSs treated with IPLS. The average number of treatment sessions in PWSs reaching 100% clearance included 4.0 for pink PWSs and 1.5 for red PWSs. The average number of sessions for purple PWSs reaching good clearance (70%-99%) was 4.2 sessions. Parameters used most frequently were 515- and 550-nm cutoff filters, pulse duration of 2.5 to 5.0 milliseconds, and fluences of 24 to 60 J/cm². Side effects included purpura in 133 (76%), superficial blisters in 14 (8%), and crusting in 35 (20%). Transient pigmentation changes were seen in 10.8% of patients (hypopigmentation in 3 [8.1%], hyperpigmentation in 1 [2.7%]). No scarring was observed.

Conclusion  Intense pulsed light source presents an effective and safe method for treating PWSs, especially purple PWSs.

From Laserklinik, Karlsruhe, Germany (Drs Raulin and Werner); Department of Lasertherapy, Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands (Dr Schroeter); Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (Dr Weiss); and Center for Laser Therapy, Braunfels, Germany (Dr Keiner).

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