Clinical experience using neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser in cutaneous vascular malformations among Indian patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous vascular anomalies are relatively common in clinical practice with varied clinical features and deformity. Various treatment modalities are used to manage this condition. Aims and Objectives: In this study, our aims were to evaluate the outcome of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in this type of vascular malformations. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery in our institute from January 2014 to December 2015 among the patients having cutaneous vascular malformations. Results: There were total 34 patients; 20 patients were females and 14 were males. Sixteen were adults (>18 years) and 11 patients were below 1 year of age. Among different types of lesions, 23 (67.7%) were vascular malformations and 11 (32.3%) were hemangiomas. Most of the lesions (58.7%) showed positive effect of laser treatment as it becomes flat. All (100%) hemangiomas, i.e., infantile hemangioma and pyogenic granuloma become flat. However, 41.3% lesions showed no significant change in height. Among them, 58.3% were venous malformations, 25% capillary malformations, and 16.7% capillary venous malformations. Skin color was not changed in color among 58.9% cases. About 58.9% cases showed no skin texture changes (atrophic/hypertrophic). Excellent-to-fair outcome was observed among 64.8% cases. Conclusion: Nd:YAG laser therapy on cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations is a good therapeutic option among Indian patients.