Fractional CO2lasers contribute to the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Stable non-segmental vitiligo is often resistant to conventional therapies.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three types of fractional lasers in the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo.


METHODS
Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. The vitiligo lesions of each patient were divided into four treatment parts, and all parts were treated with narrowband ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB). Three of the four parts were respectively treated with three types of fractional lasers (two ablative 10,600-nm CO2lasers and one non-ablative 1,565-nm laser), followed by topical betamethasone solution application. The treatment period lasted six months. Efficacy and satisfaction were respectively assessed by dermatologists and patients.


RESULTS
The ablative CO2lasers, in combination with topical betamethasone solution and NB-UVB, achieved marked to excellent improvement on white patches assessed by dermatologists. Patients showed high satisfaction scores for the treatments. The non-ablative 1,565-nm fractional laser did not provide any further benefit in the treatment of vitiligo. No severe adverse events developed for any of the treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment protocol with ablative CO2lasers, in combination with topical betamethasone solution and NB-UVB, was suitable for stable non-segmental vitiligo. For vitiligo, the ablative fractional CO2laser is more effective than the non-ablative fractional laser.
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Jinping
J
Yuan
Department of general surgery, Shandong qianfoshan hospital, Jinan.
Hongqiang
H
Chen
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Ru
R
Yan
Department of Dermatology, The first affiliated hospital of Dalian medical university, Dalian, China.
Shaoshan
S
Cui
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Yuan-Hong
YH
Li
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Yan
Y
Wu
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Xing-Hua
XH
Gao
Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang.
Hong-Duo
HD
Chen
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001623:Betamethasone
combination treatment; fractional; laser; vitiligo