Clinical Experience in the Treatment of Different Vascular Lesions Using a Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser

BACKGROUND A neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been used with good results for the treatment of various vascular lesions. OBJECTIVE To report our experience with a variable long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of different vascular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred ten patients with different vascular skin lesions were included. Patients were examined before the treatment; 1 week after each treatment session; and 1, 2, and 3 months after the last treatment session. Improvement was judged according to clinical examination of the patients and by comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs. Results were graded in four groups using percentage resolution (0-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and 76-100%. RESULTS One hundred five patients (19 port wine stains, 48 telangiectasias, 25 hemangiomas, and 13 other vascular lesions) completed the study; 71.5% of patients showed greater than 50% improvement. Good to excellent (more than 50%) results were achieved in 63.2% of patients with port wine stain, 80.0% of patients with hemangioma, 66.7% of patients with telangiectasia, and 84.6% of patients with other vascular lesions; 71.5% of all patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the results. CONCLUSION A variable long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser was found to be effective in the treatment of different vascular lesions ranging from easy to difficult to treat. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.