Experience with the treatment of vascular malformations using the Nd-YAG-laser

Lasers have been used for about 15 years in the treatment of vascular malfo rmations and haemangiomas in the head and neck area. The physical propertie s of the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser system make it pa rticulary suitable for this purpose. We review our first experience with th e treatment of vascular malformations using the Nd-YAG-laser. 9 Patients wi th 10 vascular malformations were treated. A complete remission was achieve d with 9 of the 10 vascular malformations and a partial remission with the remaining case. No complications were observed. The neodymium:yttrium-alumi num-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy has proven itself as simple to use, being highly effective and having a low complication rate.