Introduction: Leg telangiectasias have been reported to have been treated with a variety of lasers. This study was designed to measure response to treatment of leg telangiectasias with a unique coupled 585 nm and 1064 nm pulse.
Methods: Sixty female patients (24-62 y.o., skin types II-IV) with leg vein varicosities were treated with pulses of a combined 585 nm long pulsed dye (LPDL) and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers, which were delivered sequentially using a novel dual laser device. Pulses were placed along the entire length of the targeted veins. A beam diameter of 7 mm with pulses of 10 ms and 9 J/cm² of fluence for LPDL, and pulses of 30 ms and 80 J/cm² for the 106 nm Nd:YAG were utilized and these remained uniform. Time delays between sequential LPDL and Nd:YAG pulses were 125 ms, 250 ms and 500 ms depending on vein diameter of 4, 3 and 2 mm respectively. One or two treatments were given at 2 month intervals, with post-treatment assessments at 6 months following the final treatment. Patients subjectively assessed the treatment and their results were used to draw up a satisfaction index (SI). Objective assessment was based on clinical photography and computer-generated data using a vein clearance detection computer program.
Results: The overall patient satisfaction rate was 47 of 60 patients and the objective assessments, based on blinded evaluation of clinical photography as well as computer assessment, demonstrated good to very good improvement in 47 by photograph evaluation and 49 of 60 patients by computer edge detection data.
Conclusions: The combination of LPDL and Nd:YAG laser pulses offered efficient treatment of leg veins irrespective of skin type. Results were better on blue and vessels larger than 1 mm. Side effects were minimal and transient.
© 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.