title: Flash-lamp pulsed-dye laser treatment of keloids: results of an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Flash lamp pulsed dye laser (FPDL) was used in a selected group of patients with hypertrophic scars and keloids. Objective of the study was to assess the efficacy on a large number of cases.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  FPDL is a nonablative technology, typically used in vascular malformation therapy because of its specificity for hemoglobin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 59 patients (33 males and 26 females, mean age 37.5 years) affected by hypertrophic postsurgical scars and keloids, underwent from four to six treatment sessions with a flash lamp pumped pulsed dye laser. Clinical follow-up was performed 6 months after the last treatment. Results were judged by blind observers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 29 patients out of 59 (49.1%) achieved excellent clearance, 15 patients (25.4%) achieved good to moderate clearance, and 12 patients (20.4%) obtained slight improvement. Only three subjects (5%) had little or no removal of their lesion. Treatment was well tolerated with minor and transient side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FPDL is known as a safe and effective treatment for different dermatological lesions in which skin microvessels play a key role in pathogenesis or development. This laser was effective when applied to hypertrophic scars and keloids. Further studies in a larger set of patients, however, are required to assess a standardized and reproducible method for treating these lesions.
authors.affiliation: 1 Lasers in Dermatology, University of Rome , Tor Vergata, Italy .
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cannarozzo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sannino
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tamburi
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.forename: Steven Paul
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nisticò
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome