Treatment of port-wine stains with a noncoherent pulsed light source - A retrospective study

Objective: We investigated whether a noncoherent intense pulsed light source (IPLS) would be effective in therapy of port-nine stains (PWSs). Design: To evaluate the efficact in treatment of PWSs with IPLS, a retrospective study was initiated. Setting: The data were collected by physicians working in private practices and departments of university hospitals and medical centers, respectively. Patients: A total of 37 randomly selected patients with a total of 40 PWSs were included in the study. Clinical PWS characteristics recorded were color and location of the PWS. Interventions: All patients were treated with IPLS. Main Outcome Measures: Data collected included treatment parameter (filters, pulse duration, fluence, and pulse sequencing), percentage of clearance, and side effects (purpura, blisters, crusting, altered pigmentation, and scarring). Results: Good and complete (70%-100%) clearance was achieved in 28 of 40 PWSs treated with IPU. The average number of treatment sessions in PWSs reaching 100% clearance included 4.0 for pink PWSs and 1.5 for red PWSs. The average number of sessions for purple PWSs reaching good clearance (70%-99%) was 4.2 sessions. Parameters used most frequently were 515- and 550-nm cutoff filters, pulse duration of 2.5 to 5.0 milliseconds, and fluences of 24 to 60 J/cm(2). Side effects included purpura in 133 (76%), superficial blisters in 14 (8%), and crusting in 35 (20%). Transient pigmentation changes were seen in 10.8% of patients (hypopigmentation in 3 [8.1%], hyperpigmentation in 1 [2.7%]). No scarring was observed. Conclusion: Intense pulsed light source presents an effective and safe method for treating PWSs, especially purple PWSs.