Pulsed dye laser treatment, a review of indications and outcome based on published trials.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis and is widely considered to be the treatment of choice for a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions. OBJECTIVE: To review the indications and outcome of PDL treatment and summarise new developments. METHOD: A literature-based study has been conducted entailing the review of publications over the period January 1993-December 2003 using the databases Medline and Cochrane CENTRAL. RESULTS: The PDL was found to be effective in port wine stain, facial telangiectasia, leg telangiectasia <0.5 mm, scars, hypertrophic scars and ulcerated haemangioma. DISCUSSION: Essential characteristics of lesions suitable for PDL treatment are discussed and guidelines are presented for future research.