Treatment of congenital nevomelanocytic nevi with the CO2 and Q-switched alexandrite lasers.
BACKGROUND
A variety of treatment options exist for the management of congenital nevomelanocytic nevi (CNN). Surgical treatment has been the traditional approach, but scarring and cosmetic problems are common. Recently, lasers have been used to treat CNN because, in some cases, surgical excisions are inadequate owing to their inaccessible location, size, and depth.


OBJECTIVE
The effects of the combined use of CO2 laser and Q-switched Alexandrite laser on CNN were evaluated.


METHODS
Eleven patients with CNN were enrolled in this study. The surface epithelium was abraded by a CO2 laser. Subsequently, the lesion was treated by a Q-switched alexandrite laser. Repeated treatments were done every 6 weeks. The results were evaluated clinically by both physicians and patients at 2 and 6 weeks after each treatment using a 5-point grade scale.


RESULTS
By the end of the treatments, the average improvement scale assessed by the physicians, with a 5-point grade scale, was 3.82 and that of the patients was 3.73. There were no cases of hypertrophic scar or postinflammatory hyperpigmentaton persisting beyond 2 weeks. There were no recurrences during the 2-year follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined laser treatment is an effective method for the treatment of CNN. The clinical outcome was favorable; the treatment was safer, less painful, and relatively nonscarring; and there was a quicker recovery period and less of a burden to repeat treatment when necessary compared with conventional treatments.
Chong
Su Jean
SJ
Department of Dermatology, St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong
Eugene
E
Park
Hyun Jeong
HJ
Lee
Jun Young
JY
Cho
Baik Kee
BK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome