PERCUTANEOUS PHOTOCOAGULATION OF DEEP VASCULAR-LESIONS USING A FIBEROPTIC LASER WAND

A new technique is presented for the treatment of deep vascular lesions. A potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP), argon, or Nd:YAG laser is attached to a fiberoptic wand, which is passed percutaneously. The laser is activated and coagulates the lesion without direct injury to the skin. Eleven hemangiomas and two lymphangiomas have been treated using this technique. A reduction in size of the lesions was obtained in all patients. Repeat treatments were done to improve results in six patients. Conventional transcutaneous laser therapy was used as an adjunct in four patients. Average patient follow-up was 29 months. No major complications have been noted in this series. Percutaneous fiberoptic photocoagulation has been found to be a safe, long-lasting technique for the treatment of deep vascular lesions.