THERAPY OF VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS

Therapy of vascular malformations has been improved significantly by d ifferent lasers such as argon-, Nd:YAG-, CO2-, and flash lamp-pumped p ulsed dye laser (FPDL). Small childhood hemangiomas can be coagulated by means of argon laser or vaporised by means of carbondioxide laser. More extensive and fiat elevated lesions respond to therapy with the F PDL up to 60%. Thick hemangiomas can be coagulated with the Nd:YAG las er. Port wine stains in adult patients respond to argon laser coagulat ion up to 60-70%. Pink port wine stains and port wine stains in childr en can be treated with the FPDL with a success rate of 70%. Although t his data clearly demonstrate that laser therapy of vascular malformati ons is successful, there are at least 20-30% of patients who do not be nefit from laser therapy.