TREATMENT OF PYOGENIC GRANULOMAS WITH THE 585 NM PULSED DYE-LASER

Background: Current therapeutic alternatives for pyogenic granulomas i nclude surgical excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherap y, and ablation with CO2 or continuous-wave vascular lasers. Objective : Our purpose was to investigate the use of the 585 nm flashlamp-pumpe d pulsed dye laser (585 nm PDL) for the treatment of pyogenic granulom as in terms of efficacy, advantages in technique, and side effects. Me thods: Eighteen patients with symptomatic pyogenic granulomas in a var iety of locations were treated with the 585 nm PDL and examined. Resul ts: Sixteen of 18 treated patients demonstrated both symptomatic and c linical clearing of the lesions with excellent cosmetic results after treatment. The two patients who dropped out after one to two 585 nm PD L treatments were eventually treated successfully with electrodesiccat ion and curettage. No postoperative complications and no persistent pi gmentary changes or scarring were observed. The procedure required no anesthesia, and postoperative care was limited to the application of a topical antibiotic ointment. Conclusion: Our experience suggests that treatment of pyogenic granulomas with the 585 nm PDL is a safe, effec tive, and reasonable alternative to conventional therapy.