A retrospective analysis of complications in the treatment of nevus of Otawith the Q-switched alexandrite and Q-switched Nd : YAG lasers

BACKGROUND. Studies on the use of Q-switched alexandrite (QS alex) and QS N d:YAG lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota were limited to case reports and small series. There was no study that looked at the complication rate o f these systems. OBJECTIVE. TO retrospectively study the complication rate of nevus of Ota p atients that were treated with QS alex laser, QS Nd:YAG laser, or a combina tion of both. METHODS. The study was performed in a teaching hospital and a private hospi tal, where 513 patients with nevus of Ota had been treated since 1993, The 171 patients with 211 treatment sites were evaluated retrospectively follow ing treatment with QS alex laser only (n = 58), QS Nd:YAG laser (n = 105) o nly, or a combination of both systems (n = 48), Patients were called back t o be interviewed and examined by two independent clinicians to look for evi dence of complications. RESULTS. Of the treatment sites, 15.3% had hypopigmentation, 2.9% had hyper pigmentation, and texture changes and scarring were seen in 2.9% and 1.9%, respectively, The combined treatment group was associated with a significan tly higher risk of complications. Thirteen patients had recurrence of their nevus after complete or near-complete clearance with laser treatment. CONCLUSION. Hypopigmentation is common after the use of QS laser for lighte ning of nevus of Ota. This particularly applies when alternate treatment wi th QS alex and QS Nd:YAG is used, Recurrence is an important issue and must be taken into consideration, especially when children are created.