Effective treatment of leg vein telangiectasia with a new 940 nm diode laser.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A variety of lasers have been used in an attempt to treat leg vein telangiectasia

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the feasibility of a new 940 nm diode laser for the treatment of leg vein telangiectasia.

METHODS:

Thirty-one patients with leg vein telangiectasia were treated with a diode laser; 26 of these with 940 nm, 300-350 J/cm2, 40-70 msec, 1.0 mm handpiece, one pass, and 5 of these with 940 nm, 815 J/cm2, 50 msec, 0.5 mm handpiece, one pass. Each subject had three treatments of the same site at 4-week intervals. Photographs taken before and 4 weeks after the last treatment were evaluated by two independent observers for vessel clearance.

RESULTS:

In those 26 patients treated with a fluence of 300-350 J/cm2, a vessel clearance of greater than 50% was achieved in 20 patients (76%), 12 of these patients had clearance rates greater than 75%. A clearance rate of less than 50% was obtained in six patients, with three of these patients showing responses of less than 25%. In five patients treated with a fluence of 815 J/cm2 a clearance rate of more than 75% was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this preliminary study a 940 nm diode laser was shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of leg vein telangiectasia.

• Authors: P Kaudewitz, W Klövekorn, W Rother
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. 101-6 (Feb 2001) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11207679 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Laser Therapy
• Lasers (adverse effects)
• Leg
• Telangiectasis (radiotherapy)