Retrospective clinical comparison of hemangioma treatment by flashlamp-pumped (585 nm) and frequency-doubled Nd : YAG (532 nm) lasers

Background and Objective: Laser therapy using the flashlamp-pumped pulsed d ye laser (FPDL), along with contact cryotherapy, has proven to be an effect ive method with few side effects in the early treatment of superficial hema ngiomas in infancy. The long-pulsed frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (VersaPu lse(R)) is a new kind of laser whose efficacy and safety we examined in dir ect comparison with the FPDL. Study Design/Materials and Methods: In a retrospective comparative study, w e treated 50 infants with a total of 62 superficial hemangiomas. A total of 29 hemangiomas were treated with the FPDL (wavelength 585 nm, impulse dura tion 0.3-0.45 msec), 33 with the VersaPulse(R) (wavelength 532 nm, impulse duration 1-50 msec). Results: With an average of 3.0 and 2.6 treatments (FPDL/VersaPulse(R) resp ectively), a cessation of growth or regressive tendency could be achieved i n 93% and 70% of the hemangiomas, respectively. Complete regression occurre d in 41% (FPDL) or 30% (VersaPulse(R)). Only in 7% (FPDL) or 18% (VersaPuls e(R)) was there progression despite laser therapy. The side effect rates of both laser systems were low. Conclusion: The FPDL has proven to be the slightly more effective treatment method in comparison and, therefore, remains the therapy of choice for the initial treatment. If parents wish to pursue further treatment in the regr ession phase of hemangiomas to optimize the cosmetic appearance, we recomme nd the VersaPulse(R) due to its low rates of side effects and painfulness. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:40-43, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.