title: Use of Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of nevus of ota in different age groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nevus of Ota is a form of dermal melanocytic hamartoma that appears as a bluish discoloration in the trigeminal region. Although Q-switched lasers provide effective treatment, the appropriate age at which to start that treatment is not known. Our aim is to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) in the treatment of nevus of Ota in different age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included 46 children and 107 adults with nevus of Ota, which had been treated with QSRL that achieved excellent (75% or more) to complete response. The laser parameters were 694-nm wavelength, 30 nanoseconds pulse duration, 4-mm spot size, and 5-7 J/cm2 fluence at 3-4 month intervals. We assessed the mean number of treatment sessions and the degree of complications in the two age groups of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of treatment sessions to achieve significance to complete clearing was 3.5 for the younger age group and 5.9 for the older age group (P = 0.0001). The complication rate for the younger age group was 4.8% as compared to 22.4% for the older age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of QSRL for the treatment of nevus of Ota in children can achieve an excellent result in fewer sessions and at a lower complication rate than later treatment. The risk of recurrence is a concern, however, and further long-term study is necessary to address this issue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. taro911@prs.twmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Henry H L
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ali Riza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Erçöçen
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uezono
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwasaka
authors.forename: Tsukasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isago
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nozaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome