Efficacy of the 1.5 millisecond pulse-duration, 585 nm, pulsed-dye laser for treating port-wine stains

Background and Objectives: Some reports have suggested that 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration pulsed-dye lasers (PDLs) may have increased efficacy in treating port-wine stains (PWSs) as compared to previous generation lasers. We study the efficacy of the 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL for treating PWSs. Study.Design/Materials and Methods: We treated 104 areas of involvement by PWSs in 95 subjects with the 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL. Subjective and objective measures of improvement were utilized. Twenty-one of these PWSs had failed treatment with earlier generation PDLs. Results: PWSs previously refractory to the shorter pulse duration lasers responded well to treatment, as did PWSs not previously treated with any laser. Conclusions: The 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL is effective for treating PWSs and may offer improved efficacy over shorter pulse-duration lasers. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.