Objective: Conventional therapies for skin superficial venous malformations have demonstrated poor efficacy and many side effects. This prospective study assessed the effectiveness and safety of noninvasive long pulsed 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser therapy for superficial venous malformations.
Methods: Twenty-two patients, aged 9 months to 67 years, skin types III, with skin superficial venous malformations were treated with the Nd:YAG laser at fluences of 140 - 150 J/cm2, with 6 mm spot size and double pulse model(pulse width 7 - 8ms, interpulse interval 20 ms). Contact cooling was used to protect epiderm. Patients were examined 1 month and 6 months after the last treatment. Results Were graded as percent clearance in five groups: 0%, 1% - 25%, 26% - 50%, 51% - 75%, 76% - 100%.
Results: Twenty-two patients completed the study with maximal 5 treatment sessions. At 6 months after the final session, 76% - 100% clearance was observed in 96.3% of the treated sites, 100% improvement was observed in 37% of the treated sites. Pain during treatment was variably perceived by patients. Transient erythema were seen in 8 (38.1%) patients, but could resolve in 1 day to 1 month. None of patients have purpura, permanent pigmentation change and scarring.
Conclusions: Noninvasive long pulsed 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser is effective and safe enough for the treatment of skin superficial venous malformations and selectively remove superficial vessels. The side effects are minimal while ideal cosmetic results can be achieved.