The treatment of early cutaneous capillary haemangiomata (strawberry naevi) with the tunable dye laser

We have treated 39 early cutaneous capillary haemangiomata, in 24 infants, with the tunable dye laser at a wavelength of 585 nm (SPTL 1b, Candela Corp oration, Wayland, MA, USA). The average age at first treatment was 13 weeks . The first signs of involution were seen at 19 weeks of age, Complete reso lution of the lesions was seen in 61.5% of haemangiomata at an average age of 39 weeks. Two haemangiomata did not respond to laser treatment and were treated successfully with intralesional steroid injection. There were no co mplications of laser treatment. The natural history of the treated haemangi omata was significantly shorter than historical evidence suggests for untre ated lesions. Haemangiomata may be treated safely and effectively with the tunable dye laser in the early weeks of life leading to accelerated involut ion and resolution. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.