Efficacy of a novel intense pulsed light system for the treatment of port wine stains

Abstract

Background and objectives: Port wine stains (PWS) are capillary malformations typically treated with lasers or with intense pulsed light (IPL). This paper summarizes our safety and efficacy findings for a new IPL designed to target the dermal vessels of PWS. Methods: The PWS received three to four treatments with a novel IPL containing a vascular-specific handpiece (LuxG™, dual wavelength band of 500–670 nm and 870–1400 nm; Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.). Clinical benefit was assessed qualitatively with a quartile-assessment scale and quantitatively with a skinphotometer. Results: Three months post-treatment, over 50% of PWS exhibited statistically significant improvements of 51–75% or higher. The pre-treatment PWS mean erythema value of 189.72±18.40 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) was reduced to 147.22±16.15 post-treatment, thereby approaching the normal skin erythema value of 117.61 ± 15.90. The mean percent reduction in vascularity at 3 months was statistically significant at −55.4 (p=0.0000003). Treatments were well-tolerated with minimal to no subject downtime and limited side effects of transient erythema (all subjects) or mild crusting and mild purpura (n=1). Conclusion: These results demonstrate the efficacy and safety of this novel IPL in providing therapeutic benefit to patients suffering from PWS.

Key words::

• Intense pulsed light system
• photometer
• port wine stain
• vascular lesions

Acknowledgements

Discount on equipment (MAA, JL).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.