title: A retrospective study of q-switched alexandrite laser in treating nevus of ota.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL) has been clinically proven to be effective in treating nevus of Ota, but a large-scale retrospective study with long-term follow-up has never been performed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the QSAL in treating nevus of Ota, the laser's long-term side effects, complications associated with the treatments, and the recurrence rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred six patients (651 female, 155 male) with a diagnosis of nevus of Ota who had received a series of QSAL (wavelength 755 nm) treatments were recruited. The typical settings were fluences of 3.8 to 4.8 J/cm(2) and a spot size of 3 mm. Follow-ups were conducted via questionnaire with 590 patients who had completed the treatment at least 3 years earlier.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 93.9% of patients achieved complete clearance after an average of 5.2 sessions. All recurrences (0.8%) appeared beyond the previously treated sites. No long-term adverse effects, including hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, textural changes, and malignant transformation, were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QSAL is a safe and effective modality for treating nevus of Ota. Recurrence was rare and appeared beyond the previously treated sites. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, No.1 Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiao-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: John Z S
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Hong-Hui
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xing-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Hong-Duo
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yuan-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult