Argon laser treatment of port-wine hemangiomas: clinical and histologic correlation

Argon-pumped tunable dye laser therapy for facial port-wine stain hemangiomas in adults--a new technique using small spot size and minimal power

A low power, argon-pumped tunable dye laser was used to deliver yellow light of 577 nm. Individual blood vessels within port-wine stain hemangiomas were treated with a 0.1-mm beam of light using 8 X magnification. This technique permits excellent resolution of facial and nuchal port-wine stain hemangiomas in adults without the adverse complications of textural change, permanent pigmentation abnormality, or hypertrophic scarring.

Dot or pointillistic method for improvement in results of hypertrophic scarring in the argon laser treatment of portwine hemangiomas

In an attempt to limit scarring, 51 patients have been treated over a period of 2 years with the argon laser in a dot or pointillistic fashion. One- to 2-mm dots are blanched at intervals of 1-2 mm with minimal power, and the interspaces are filled in at 12 weeks. Scar-prone areas of the face such as the upper lip, nasolabial fold, nose, and lower lip have been successfully treated with minimal scarring and good fading. Lesions of the trunk and extremity have also been successfully treated.

Role of the argon laser in treatment of lymphocytoma cutis

Lymphocytoma cutis characteristically appears as persistent reddish purple papules, nodules, or plaques. Response to treatment is variable and recurrences are common. We report the use of the argon laser as a modality that improved cosmetic appearance and alleviated symptoms of lymphocytoma cutis but that failed to provide complete histologic clearing of the inflammatory cells.

Review of the treatment of port wine stains with the argon laser

The role of the argon laser for the treatment of port wine stain (PWS) is reviewed in relation to the Southampton regime, which is based on finding the minimal blanching power. Both the advantages and limitations of this form of treatment are discussed, stressing the importance of first obtaining a satisfactory test patch.

Analysis of complications of argon laser treatment for port wine hemangiomas with reference to striped technique

Argon laser treatment of port wine hemangiomas has evolved greatly in technique. Since 1979, we have treated 150 patients with the "zebra strike" technique in order to enhance fading and lessen the incidence of complications or side effects. Eighty-one such patients are studied in depth with at least an 18-month follow-up on all patients. The "zebra stripe" technique is described in detail. Analysis of fading shows a 64% excellent or good result in all patients and analysis of sponginess shows that a marked reduction of sponginess is possible by the laser. Side effects and complications including hypopigmentation, texture change, and indentation are discussed in detail. Analysis of scarring shows an overall scar rate of 15% with a general scar rate of 7.4% if you exclude the lip and nasolabial area. Residual striping was present to a slight degree in 34% of the patients and to a major degree in 7% of the patients. All factors are discussed as far as age, complexion, sex, color or port wine stain and related to stripe technique.

Role of retreatment in minimal-power argon laser therapy for port wine stains

Retreatment of previously lased areas of port wine stains can offer significant additional improvement over initial results. From 1977 to 1981 123 patients were subjected to 191 treatments employing the argon laser using an individually varied minimal power dose. Thirty-three areas have been treated a second time a year after the first therapy and six doubly treated areas have also been studied. The additional improvement achieved by retreatment together with the minimal additional chance of complication adds to the safety and practicality of minimal dosage technique. The theoretical considerations allowing successful retreatment are presented and the results of this approach are demonstrated. The timing of retreatment and its limitations are also considered.