EVALUATION OF THE LONG-PULSE DYE-LASER FOR THE TREATMENT OF LEG TELANGIECTASIAS

BACKGROUND. Leg telangiectasias are common visible ectatic dermal capi llaries, arteriols, or veins. Multiple methods of treatment, have been reported for this entity. A long-pulse (1500 mu sec) dye laser has be en developed to treat leg veins ranging in size from 0.1 to 1.0 mm in diameter. OBJECTIVE. TO determine the effectiveness of this novel devi ce on treating leg veins with varying wavelengths and fluences. METHOD S. Eighty patients with more than 250 sites of leg telangiectasias wer e treated with the long-pulse dye laser. RESULTS. Clearance of 100% wa s achieved after one or two treatments by vessels with diameters up to 0.5 mm. Vessels with diameters between 0.5 and 1.0 mm Jaded in about 80% of treatments. Transient adverse effects were observed in a low in cidence. CONCLUSIONS. The long-pulse dye laser is a safe and effective tool in the treatment of leg telangiectasias. (C) 1998 by the America n Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.