Treatment of leg telangiectases with a 532 nm KTP laser in multipulse mode.

摘要

BACKGROUND: The multiple mode emission emphasizes the efficacy of the KTP laser. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 532 nm KTP laser emitting in multipulse mode for the treatment of superficial 0.5-1 mm leg telangiectases. METHODS: A 532 nm KTP laser was used in a nonuniform pulse sequence or multipulse mode emission (three stacked pulses of 100 msec, 30 msec, 30 msec, and a delay between pulses of 250 msec), a fluence of 60 J/cm2, and a 0.75 mm collimated spot. No cooling was used. Fourteen female patients (average age 46 years, range 27-57 years), phototypes I-IV were examined with Doppler ultrasound to ensure their big veins were competent. A topography of the telangiectatic network was reported on a tracing plastic frame before each session and 6 weeks after the last one. These frames were digitized and the number of vessels (before and 6 weeks after each session) was determined using imaging software. Side effects, pain, and patient satisfaction were noted. RESULTS: Moderate pain, immediate erythema and edema, sometimes light scabbing, temporary hypopigmentation rarely, and no matting were observed. After one treatment, vessel clearing was 53% (P <.001). It increased to 78% (P <.001) 6 weeks after two treatments, to 85% (P <.05) 6 weeks after three treatments, and to 93% (NS) 6 weeks after four treatments. CONCLUSION: This nonuniform pulse sequence or multipulse mode emission emphasizes the efficacy of the KTP laser in this study. It provides a safe and effective treatment that achieved an important reduction of red leg veins telangiectases from 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter, with very few side effects.