Treatment of nevus Ota: Combined skin abrasion and carbon dioxide snow method

Thirty-seven patients with nevus Ota were treated by skin abrasion-carbon dioxide snow therapy. Data obtained from 24 patients (including 5 infants) who completed treatment were analyzed to determine the number of treatment courses and to assess the outcome by color and histologic type. The 5 infants completing treatment received a mean of 10 courses of carbon dioxide snow therapy. Excluding these infants, the mean number of treatment courses was 3 for skin abrasion and 16 for carbon dioxide snow therapy. The therapeutic outcome was satisfactory, being graded as ''excellent'' in 6 patients, ''excellent to good'' in 6 patients, ''good'' in 10 patients, and ''fair'' in 2 patients. None of the patients had a ''poor'' outcome. Darker lesions were generally less responsive to treatment. Lesions with melanocytes in the superficial dermis showed a better response with fewer courses of treatment. Those with melanocytes throughout the whole dermis generally had a poorer outcome. The results confirm that the benefits of this procedure are limited by the associated I,ain and the need for great skill and along treatment duration.