title: Laser treatment of pigmented lesions in clinical practice: a retrospective case series and patient satisfaction survey.
abstract: Lasers are frequently used to treat pigmented skin lesions; however, there is little published data from routine clinical practice. We performed a retrospective review of patients treated between January 2003 and January 2004 to describe the patients, methods used and the clinical outcome. The long-term result was determined by a patient questionnaire. In total, 67 patients with 76 pigmented lesions were treated (22 males and 45 females, mean age 22 years); 27% had Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI. The Q-switched Nd:YAG, and erbium:YAG lasers were used in 75% and 24% of cases, respectively, with an average of 5.4 treatments/patient. The physician-rated outcome at the end of treatment was 'very positive' in 45% and 'mostly positive' in 30% of cases. The patient-rated outcome at an average of 21 months post-treatment was 'excellent' in 29.5%, 'good' in 25%, and 'fair' in 22.7% of the 44 cases. About 50% of patients with the three most common lesions (congenital naevi, other/unspecified naevi and naevus of Ota) achieved good or excellent long-term results.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, UK. joannehague@doctors.org.uk
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Hague
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Lanigan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome