Photothermal sclerosis of leg veins

BACKGROUND. The flashlamp-pumped pulse dye laser at 585 nm has previously been reported to be somewhat effective in treating leg telangiectasia with diameters less than 0.2 mm. A pulsed photothermal devise (intense pulsed light source [IPLS]) has been developed to treat leg veins ranging in size from 0.1 to 3 mm in diameter. Vessel necrosis occurs from an intense pulsed light that penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the blood vessels based on the principle of selective photothermolysis. OBJECTIVE. TO determine the effectiveness of this novel device on treating leg veins. METHODS. One hundred fifty-nine patients with 369 lesions were treated with the IPLS in a multicenter trial. RESULTS. Clearance Of 75-100% was achieved in 79% of treated lesions. Better than 50% clearance was achieved in 94% of completed cases. A very low rate of adverse effects occurred. CONCLUSION. The IPLS is a safe and effective modality to treat leg veins ranging in size from 0.1 to 3 mm in diameter.