Adverse effects associated with the 577- and 585-nanometer pulsed dye laser in the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions: a study of 500 patients.
BACKGROUND
The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser has been used in the treatment of cutaneous vascular disorders since 1986. Although this laser is now widely used for the treatment of port-wine stains, telangiectases, and hemangiomas, the incidence of adverse reactions has not been clearly defined in a large series of patients.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed the incidence of adverse effects associated with the use of the pulsed dye laser in the treatment of vascular lesions.


METHODS
We studied 500 patients undergoing pulsed dye laser treatments for port-wine stains, telangiectases, and hemangiomas. All patients were examined during the course of their treatment to assess the incidence of adverse effects associated with the use of the pulsed dye laser.


RESULTS
There were no cases of hypertrophic scarring. The incidence of atrophic scarring was less than 0.1%. A spongiotic dermatitis was seen in 11 of 297 patients (0.04%) after multiple treatments of port-wine stains. Hyperpigmentation was seen in five of 500 patients (1%), whereas transient hypopigmentation was seen in 13 (2.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser is safe for the treatment of port-wine stains, telangiectases, and hemangiomas in children and adults.
Levine
V J
VJ
Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, New York, NY 10016.
Geronemus
R G
RG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000601:surgery; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery