Long‐term results in the treatment of childhood hemangioma with the flashlamp‐pumped pulsed dye laser: An evaluation of 617 cases

Abstract

In the vast majority of the hemangiomas, it was possible to stop further progression or induce regression by FPDL treatment. Total regression could be achieved in nearly half of the small superficial hemangiomas. Because the treatment is fast, effective, and nearly without side effects, we recommend early laser treatment especially in superficial and small childhood hemangiomas.

Complications following pulsed dye laser treatment of superficial hemangiomas

“…Due to its limited depth of penetration, it does not reach the deeper dermal vasculature of the skin, and it is therefore not surprising that the deeper component of hemangiomas can continue to proliferate despite laser therapy [19]. In superficial hemangiomas, however, a number of published studies report significant lightening and thinning following treatment with the PDL during the proliferative phase [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] (Table 2). Most reports note a low risk of scarring or other adverse outcome, ranging from none to a rate of 4% [1,[13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…In superficial hemangiomas, however, a number of published studies report significant lightening and thinning following treatment with the PDL during the proliferative phase [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] (Table 2). Most reports note a low risk of scarring or other adverse outcome, ranging from none to a rate of 4% [1,[13][14][15][16][17][18]. Some authors advocate early treatment of uncomplicated superficial hemangiomas in the preproliferative or early proliferative phases to prevent further proliferation and associated complications [17,18].…”

“…It has become a widely accepted treatment for port wine stains (PWS), and is considered a safe and effective treatment, even in very young children [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Many reports have also noted success using PDL in the treatment of hemangiomas [1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. They report best results in superficial, plaque type hemangiomas, noting less effective lightening in hemangiomas with deeper components [12,14,[17][18][19].…”

“…Many reports have also noted success using PDL in the treatment of hemangiomas [1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. They report best results in superficial, plaque type hemangiomas, noting less effective lightening in hemangiomas with deeper components [12,14,[17][18][19]. Most of these reports have also suggested a very low incidence of scarring or other adverse outcomes when using PDL in the treatment of hemangiomas [1,[13][14][15].…”

“…Most of these reports have also suggested a very low incidence of scarring or other adverse outcomes when using PDL in the treatment of hemangiomas [1,[13][14][15]. Some have advocated its use in early, otherwise uncomplicated hemangiomas in hopes of preventing further proliferation [17,18].…”