Treatment of spider veins using a 10 millisecond pulse-duration frequency-doubled neodymium YAG laser.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The pulsed dye laser has been the standard for treating vascular lesions. Although quite effective for treating facial vessels and port-wine stains, spider veins of the lower extremities are more difficult to treat. Recent studies have shown that lasers with longer pulse durations are more effective at treating spider veins. A new long-pulse frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser has been developed with a 10-ms pulse duration and sufficient energy to enable treatment with a 3- or 4-mm diameter treatment beam.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effectiveness of the long pulse Neodymium:YAG laser for treating spider veins of the lower extremities.

METHODS:

Spider veins less than 0.75 mm in diameter on the legs of 15 female volunteers were treated in 1 or 2 areas. Treatments were administered through a water-cooled chill tip using the frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser with a 10-ms pulse duration. A dose of 16 J/cm2 was administered, completing 3 passes over each visible vein during each session, for a total of 2 sessions administered 6 weeks apart. Photographs of treatment areas were digitally analyzed for degree of vessel clearance.

RESULTS:

Computer-based image analysis revealed clearing of over 75% of veins following 2 treatments with 16 J/cm2. Side effects were minimal, and the treatments were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 532 nm, 10 ms pulse duration, frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser is safe and effective for treating spider veins of the lower extremities less than 0.75 mm in diameter, in patients with Fitzpatrick skin Types I-III.

• Authors: E F Bernstein, S Kornbluth, D B Brown, J Black
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 25 Issue 4 Pg. 316-20 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10417590 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Neodymium

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Laser Therapy (instrumentation)
• Lasers
• Leg
• Middle Aged
• Neodymium
• Telangiectasis (pathology, surgery)
• Treatment Outcome