ABSTRACT

Port wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation, which is visible at the birth as the red patches, mostly on the face and neck. Previous studies have shown good efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL). Here, we have conducted a prospective study to assess the efficacy and safety profile of pediatrics with PWS, treated with 595-nm PDL. Twenty-seven patients (10 males and 17 females) with the mean age of 5.7 ± 2.8 (range 1–13) years old were included in the study. Following 6.2 (range 4–10) sessions of treatment, 70.74 ± 18.5% of improvement was detected three months after the final session. Fourteen (51.8%) patients achieved a higher than 75% of improvement; nine (33.4%) patients experienced 50%-75% improvement; four (14.8%) patients experienced a less than 50% improvement. V1 involvement and a marked improvement within the first five sessions found to be good prognostic factors. Regarding age, sex, skin type, color and size of the PWS, no significant association with therapeutic response were detected. Blister and crust, atrophic macules, and hyperpigmentation were noted in six (22.2%), one (3.7%), and one (3.7%), respectively. In conclusion, 595-nm PDL looks an effective and relatively safe therapeutic approach in the treatment of Iranian pediatric PWS patients.