Successful treatment of spider leg veins with a high-energy, long-pulse, frequency-doubled neodymium:YAG laser (HELP-G)
BACKGROUND
While sclerotherapy has been the standard treatment for spider leg veins for many years, recent advances have allowed lasers to be considered as a treatment option.


OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm with a 50 ms pulse width and chill tip device in the treatment of spider leg veins.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with spider leg veins with a diameter of less than 1 mm or 1-2 mm were treated with a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm with a pulse width of 50 ms (VersaPulse HELP-G laser) while using a water-cooled chill tip device.


RESULTS
Of patients with veins less than 1 mm in diameter, 60% had greater than 50% clearing after one treatment and 80% had greater than 50% clearing after two treatments. Of patients with veins 1-2 mm in diameter, 39% achieved greater than 50% clearing after one treatment and 67% had greater than 50% clearing after two sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser with a pulse width of 50 ms and chill tip device offers an excellent alternative to sclerotherapy in the treatment of small spider leg veins.
Massey
R A
RA
Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA.
Katz
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*