Copper vapour laser treatment of port wine stains: clinical evaluation and comparison with conventional argon laser therapy

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Abstract
The copper vapour laser (CVL), emitting at 578 nm, offers potential advantages over the argon laser in the treatment of port wine stains (PWS). In this study, two test areas were performed with each laser using a Hexascan delivery system in 31 patients with PWS. One area was treated at minimal blanching fluence and one at 75% of this fluence. The pulse width was constant for each patient (mean 155 ms). Four-month assessments were made using a fading scale of 0-4, and objectively by an index of light absorbence using reflectance spectrophotometry. The CVL-treated sites had significantly better fading scores than argon laser-treated sites at minimal blanching fluence (P < 0.005) and lower absorbence indices (P < 0.05). Fading was significantly greater at minimal blanching fluence than at 75% of this fluence by fading scores and absorbence index values for both lasers. Slight textural and pigmentary changes were seen in a small minority of both CVL and argon tests at minimal blanching fluence only. This study indicates that the CVL is superior to the argon laser in treatment of predominantly red-purple or purple PWS. The minimal blanching technique produces greater fading than a lower energy fluence.

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