title: Twenty years of clinical experience with a new modality of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy for port wine stains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Port wine stains (PWS) are congenital capillary malformations of the skin and are difficult to treat without scarring. Since January 1991, our group has performed a new modality of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) for PWS treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize our clinical experiences with vascular-targeted PDT for PWS at Chinese PLA General Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our group has collected and reviewed retrospective clinical research data of vascular-targeted PDT for treating PWS since January 1991.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical studies showed that vascular-targeted PDT is an effective treatment for all types of PWS. Repetitive treatment sessions were usually needed to obtain a better cosmetic effect. No recurrence was seen in patients followed up for longer than 19 years. There were no significant side effects or adverse reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new PDT is an effective, safe, and noninvasive modality with no recurrence for PWS, although the protocol for PDT requires further optimization.
authors: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Haixia
authors: H
authors: Qiu
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Gu
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Naiyan
authors: N
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013812:Therapeutics
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents