In vivo trial comparing patients' tolerance of Q-switched Alexandrite (QS Alex) and Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (QS Nd:YAG) lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota.
OBJECTIVE
Different types of Q-switched lasers have been found to be effective in the treatment of nevus of Ota. However, a clinical trial involving in vivo comparison of the use of different laser systems has not been performed. The aim of the present study was to compare the patient tolerance of Q-switched Alexandrite (QS Alex) and Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (QS Nd:YAG) lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients (11 male, 22 female) were recruited for this study, and 45 treatment sessions were performed. Half of each lesion was treated with QS Alex and the other half with QS Nd:YAG laser. Patients were interviewed with a visual analog scale questionnaire immediately after treatment and 1 week later. Questions included the degree of pain, swelling, and bleeding.


RESULTS
The immediate pain after treatment was more severe for QS Alex than for QS Nd:YAG laser. However, 1 week after laser therapy, most patients found QS Alex to be superior.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients tolerate QS-Alex better than QS Nd:YAG. This finding is important because patients with nevus of Ota are often children, and multiple laser sessions are necessary for complete resolution of the lesion.
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Republic of China. henrychan@cuhk.edu.hk
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Chan
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King
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Chan
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Mok
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Ho
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Van Krevel
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Lau
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001608:Beryllium; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009354:Neodymium; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C112654:alexandrite; D009354:Neodymium; D001608:Beryllium