Abstract

The rationale for laser treatment of port wine stains (PWSs) is destruction of the abnormal vascular plexus by selective absorption. We use a flash-lamp-pumped dye laser tuned for operation at 577 nm with a pulse length of 0.5 µsec. The wavelength corresponds to the most favorable peak in the hemoglobin absorption spectrum when the typical vessel depth and the optics of skin are taken into account. The pulse length is sufficiently short to minimize the effects of thermal diffusion thus localizing the damage. Initial trials showed that an energy density of 3 J/cm² produced vascular damage, but to achieve a lasting change in PWS coloration, 6-10 J/cm² have to be used. This causes erythocyte coagulation leading to vessel necrosis or direct vessel rupture.

© 1985 Optical Society of America