An evaluation of the copper-bromide laser for treating telangiectasia.
BACKGROUND
Copper bromide lasers, producing pulsed yellow and green light, have been developed for treating cutaneous lesions.


OBJECTIVE
A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the role of this laser, using its yellow wavelength, to treat benign vascular ectasia and establish some clinical guidelines for therapy.


METHODS
Twenty-three informed consenting adults with facial telangiectasia, spider angiomas, or vascular nevi on the head, neck, or upper chest were treated with the laser. Assessment of results was performed by: blinded clinical evaluation, blinded comparison of "before" and "after" photographs, and patients' own reports of satisfaction levels.


RESULTS
Good to excellent results were obtained in most patients, except for a few suffering minor skin atrophy where very large vessels were treated.


CONCLUSIONS
The copper bromide laser was an effective tool in the treatment of certain cutaneous vascular lesions.
McCoy
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Flinders Medical Center, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
Hanna
M
M
Anderson
P
P
McLennan
G
G
Repacholi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000601:surgery*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome