Port wine stain treatment with a dual-wavelength Nd:Yag laser and cryogen spray cooling: A pilot study

Background and Objectives We report on a pilot study of port wine stain (PWS) treatment with a prototype Nd:YAG/KTP laser system, emitting simultaneously at 1,064 and 532 nm, and equipped with a cryogen spray cooling (CSC) device. Study Design/Patients and Methods On 10 patients (4–36 years old, mean: 16.2 years) with skin types II‐III, therapeutic efficacy of the dual‐wavelength laser (KTP+) was compared with a standard KTP laser (532 nm only) at the same pulse duration (25 millisecond), spot diameter (3 mm), and CSC parameters. The fluences were selected in order to obtain the same immediate response with both laser systems. Blanching of each test segment was assessed 8 weeks post treatment by an independent evaluator and by the subjects, and graded on a 1–4 scale. Results Significant blanching of PWS was noted 8 weeks after a single therapeutic session with the KTP+ laser (mean: 532 nm radiant exposure: 8.2 J/cm2), very similar to that observed with KTP at 12.4 J/cm2. The evaluator noticed a slight brownish coloration in areas treated with the KTP+ laser. Isolated beam‐sized atrophic scars were present in two patients where KTP+ (9 and 10 J/cm2) and KTP (14 J/cm2) lasers were used. Conclusions The addition of 1,064 nm radiation allowed a significant reduction of 532 nm radiant exposure with no loss of efficacy in PWS treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:164–167, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.