title: Assessment of Efficacy of the 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser in the Treatment of Facial Port-Wine Stains in Indian Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulsed dye lasers have revolutionized treatment of port-wine stains (PWS). The authors' previous study with a 585-nm/0.45-millisecond pulsed dye laser (PDL) showed 25% to 75% improvement in 60% of facial PWS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors analyzed data on facial PWS treated with a 595-nm tunable PDL in Indian patients. Response was assessed subjectively on a scale of -1 to 5 (Investigator Global Assessment) by comparing pretreatment and posttreatment photographs. Patients' perception of change in PWS was also noted on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 (Patient Global Assessment). Side effects were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 74 flat and 24 hypertrophic PWS in skin Types IV and V with a median lesion size of 56 cm and 102 cm, respectively, and color ranging from pink to purple were treated. They underwent a mean of 7.3 and 8.5 sessions (range: 4-10 session), respectively. A mean lightening of 54% in flat and 40% in hypertrophic PWS was observed. After 10 treatments, 46.6% of flat PWS cases showed >75% lightening and an equal number had 25% to 75% improvement. A >75% improvement was observed in 12.5% of hypertrophic PWS with 75% of cases showing between 25% to 75% improvement. No significant side effects were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 595-nm tunable PDL produced moderate response with no significant side effects.
authors.affiliation: *Both the authors are affiliated with Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sujay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khandpur
authors.forename: Vinod K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome