Treatment of vitiligo using the 308-nm excimer laser.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of the 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser in the treatment of vitiligo and to determine factors that favor a good response to treatment.


BACKGROUND
Targeted phototherapy using the 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser represents an effective therapy for the management of vitiligo. However, studies on a large number of patients are few despite the increasing use of the excimer laser to treat patients with vitiligo.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 97 patients with chronic stable vitiligo was done with a total of 221 vitiligo patches treated.


RESULTS
Out of 221 vitiligo patches treated, 50.6% showed 75% pigmentation or more, 25.5% achieved 100% pigmentation of their patches, and 64.3% showed 50% pigmentation or more. Lesions on the face responded better than lesions elsewhere.


CONCLUSIONS
The 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of vitiligo, with good results achieved in a relatively short duration of time.
Hadi
Suhail
S
Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. Suhail.Hadi@mssm.edu
Tinio
Patricia
P
Al-Ghaithi
Khalid
K
Al-Qari
Haitham
H
Al-Helalat
Mohammad
M
Lebwohl
Mark
M
Spencer
James
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002712:Chlorides; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014978:Xenon
D002712:Chlorides; D014978:Xenon; C048006:xenon chloride