C. Raulin et S. Werner, Treatment of venous malformations with an intense pulsed light source (IPLS) technology: A retrospective study, LASER SURG, 25(2), 1999, pp. 170-177
Background and Objective: The intense pulsed light source (IPLS) technology
provides an innovative concept in the treatment of vascular lesions. We in
vestigated the effectiveness of IPLS in the treatment of venous malformatio
ns.
Study Design/Materials and Methods A retrospective study of 11 patients wit
h venous malformations (VMA) treated with IPLS was initiated. Clinical VMA
characteristics recorded were size and location. Data collected included tr
eatment parameters (filters, pulse duration, fluence, and pulse sequencing)
, % clearance, and side effects (e.g., swelling, blisters, crusting, pain,
altered pigmentation, and scarring).
Results: Good and very good (70-100%) clearance was achieved in 8 malformat
ions smaller than 100 cm(2). Especially small lesions needed only 2-3 treat
ments. Three VMA larger than 100 cm(2) could be cleared well in an average
of 18 sessions. The most frequently used parameters were the 590 nm filter
in long pulse mode, triple pulses, and fluences at an average of 80.4 J/cm(
2). Side effects included prolonged erythema in 23.6, swelling in 17.9%, cr
usting in 4.7%. Bleeding, hypo-, hyperpigmentation, and scarring were rare
(0.9% respectively).
Conclusion: IPLS presents an effective method for treating VM especially sm
all malformations, with a justifiable rate of side effects when optimal par
ameters are chosen. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.