LASER THERAPY OF VARICOSITIES WITH THE FLASHLAMP-PUMPED PULSED DYE-LASER

The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser with an output wavelength of 585 nm and a pulse duration of 450 mu m was used co treat 102 areas of bl ue and red varicosities in the lower limbs of female patients. Varicos ities could be divided into two groups, early red varicosities and mor e developed blue varicosities. Forty-two areas of blue varicosities we re treated with a single pulse, and only 20% of these were eliminated, Blue varicosities were then treated in three treatment sessions, 3 we eks apart, and none of them could be occluded. Red varicosities respon ded better; all of the varicosities treated were occluded in three tre atment sessions separated by 3 weeks, The use of two consecutive pulse s with only 6.5 Jcm(-2) in a single treatment session resulted in only 54% of the varicosities being eliminated. Finally, seven areas of red varicosities were treated in a single treatment with an argon laser a t 2 W; only 10-20% of these lesions responded. The pulsed dye laser is therefore of most use in treating red varicosities.