title: Intralesional laser therapy for vascular malformations.
abstract: Intralesional laser therapy for the treatment of vascular malformations (VMs) has been previously reported for select patient populations. Larger studies, over a wider variety of indications, are needed to better define the potential role of this technology. In the current study, a 12-year, retrospective review of 44 patients who underwent 73 intralesional Nd:YAG or diode laser treatments of VMs was performed. The most commonly encountered lesions were venous malformations (66%) and the most commonly involved anatomic locations were the head and neck regions (41%) and lower extremity (39%). Primary indications for treatment were enlargement (73%) and pain (52%). Lesion size was reduced in 94% of cases after treatment and pain was improved in 91% of cases. Minor postoperative complications occurred in 16 (36%) patients. There was no difference in treatment response among various VM subtypes or anatomic locations (P=0.497, P=0.866) or in the incidence of complications (P=0.531, P=0.348). Age was the only factor associated with an increased risk of complications (odds ratio, 1.034; P=0.038). When used in accordance with the suggested guidelines, intralesional laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality for VMs of varying compositions and locations.
authors.affiliation: From the Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Linda W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Oppenheimer
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kasten
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000601:surgery*