Efficacy and safety of the short-pulse erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi.
BACKGROUND
Various laser systems have been used in the treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi. However, CO2 lasers may cause scarring, and some nevi cannot be removed with pigment-specific lasers completely. To date, no study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser, with its small penetration depth and fewer adverse effects, in the treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and safety of the short-pulse erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi.


METHODS
The study included 28 nevi in 14 patients. The lesions were pigmented, flat, or just palpable nevi. Nevi were irradiated with single-pulse laser energy of 1,000 mJ and a pulse duration of 300 microseconds. Fluences between 5.2 and 14.4 J/cm2 were used. Four months following laser treatment, the entire lesion was excised. Each specimen was histopathologically and immunohistochemically examined for the presence of nevus cells.


RESULTS
Clinically, all of the nevi and, histopathologically, 27 of 28 nevi (96%) were completely removed without scarring. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was seen in two patients and hypopigmentation in three patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-pulse erbium:YAG laser treatment is an effective and safe method for removing acquired melanocytic nevi.
Baba
Mete
M
Department of Dermatology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana Hospital, Adana, Turkey. metebaba17@hotmail.com
Bal
Nebil
N
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome