COPPER-VAPOR LASER TREATMENT OF PORT-WINE STAINS - CLINICAL-EVALUATION AND COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL ARGON-LASER THERAPY

The copper vapour laser (CVL), emitting at 5 78 nm, offers Potential a dvantages over the argon laser in the treatment of port wine stains (P WS). In this study, two test areas were performed with each laser usin g a Hexascan delivery system in 31 patients with PWS. One area was tre ated at minimal blanching fluence and one at 75% of this fluence. The pulse width was constant for each patient (mean 155 ms). Four-month as sessments were made using a fading scale of 0-4, and objectively by an index of light absorbence using reflectance spectrophotometry. The CV L-treated sites had significantly better fading scores than argon lase r-treated sites at minimal blanching fluence (P < 0.00 5) and lower ab sorbence indices (P < 0.0 5). Fading was significantly greater at mini mal blanching fluence than at 75% of this fluence by fading scores and absorbence index values for both lasers. Slight textural and pigmenta ry changes were seen in a small minority of both CVL and argon tests a t minimal blanching fluence only. This study indicates that the CVL is superior to the argon laser in treatment of predominantly red-purple or purple PWS. The minimal blanching technique produces greater fading than a lower energy fluence.