Treatment of hypertrophic resistant port-wine stains with copper vapor laser radiation (578 nm)

Port-wine stains are congenital vascular malformations characterized by dilated capillaries in the papillary dermis. Port-wine stains typically appear at birth and tend to become darker and thicker with age. Laser treatments for port-wine stains have proven effective. However, less than 10% of patients are completely cured by pulsed dye laser treatment, and 16–50% relapse after pulsed dye laser treatment. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of hypertrophic resistant port-wine stains with variable pulse copper vapor laser radiation at a yellow wavelength of 578 nm. A series of four clinical cases of diagnosed hypertrophic resistant port-wine stains is presented and issues of treatment thereof with the copper vapor laser at a yellow wavelength of 578 nm are discussed. The port-wine stains were treated at the following copper vapor laser settings: an average power of 0.6–0.8 W; an exposure time of 0.2–0.9 s; the light spot diameter was 1 mm. The treatment was carried out in 2–6 sessions with a 2-month interval. A good cosmetic effect was achieved without formation of scars and without relapses during the two-year follow-up period after treatment.