title: Evaluation of argon laser surgery in children under 13 years of age.
abstract: Argon laser surgery is an effective treatment for ectasias and congenital port-wine stains; however, its use in children under the age of 13 is controversial. This paper reviews 202 children under the age of 13 who underwent argon laser treatments for congenital port-wine stains, spider angiomas, epidermal nevi, and lentigines. The clinical characteristics of port-wine stains in 170 children are discussed. Good to excellent results (moderate to complete clearing) in port-wine stains were obtained in 60 percent of patients and seemed to correlate best with lack of blanchability on pressure. Hypertrophic scarring was seen in only 7 children, all of whom had undressed wounds; no significant scarring has been seen in any subsequent child who had maintained a dressed wound postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, New York Medical College, N.Y.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brauner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schliftman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cosman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001128:Argon; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009506:Nevus / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D001128:Argon