Pulsed dye laser treatment, a review of indications and outcome based on published trials.
BACKGROUND
Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis and is widely considered to be the treatment of choice for a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To review the indications and outcome of PDL treatment and summarise new developments.


METHODS
A literature-based study has been conducted entailing the review of publications over the period January 1993-December 2003 using the databases Medline and Cochrane CENTRAL.


RESULTS
The PDL was found to be effective in port wine stain, facial telangiectasia, leg telangiectasia <0.5 mm, scars, hypertrophic scars and ulcerated haemangioma.


CONCLUSIONS
Essential characteristics of lesions suitable for PDL treatment are discussed and guidelines are presented for future research.
Smit
J M
JM
Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.m.smit@student.ru.nl
Bauland
C G
CG
Wijnberg
D S
DS
Spauwen
P H M
PH
D002921:Cicatrix / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome