Facial Plast Surg 2004; 20(1): 71-76
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-822962
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA.

Practical Considerations in the Treatment of Capillary Vascular Malformations, or Port Wine Stains

Samuel M. Lam1 , Edwin F. Williams2 , 3  III 
  • 1Lam Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Dallas, TX
  • 2Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
  • 3Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 March 2004 (online)

Port wine stains (PWSs) represent the most common type of vascular malformation. With the advent of pulsed-dye laser therapy, treatment of these lesions has become achievable with minimal prospect of adverse scarring. Although many scientific articles have heralded the favorable outcomes in patients who have undergone pulsed-dye laser treatments, few articles address the practical considerations (pre-, intra-, and postoperative) that must be followed to ensure success. This article presents the 10-year experience of the senior author (EFW) in the management of port wine malformations and the clinical insights that have been gleaned from that extensive experience. Introductory remarks are made as to the nature of PWSs, related syndromes, and the evolution of treatment; practical management guidelines are then discussed.

REFERENCES

  • 1 Miller A C, Pit-Ten Cate I M, Watson H S. Stress and family satisfaction in parents of children with facial port-wine stains.  Pediatr Dermatol. 1999;  16 190-197
  • 2 Geronemus R G, Ashinoff R. The medical necessity of evaluation and treatment of portwine stains.  J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1991;  17 76-79
  • 3 Dohil M A, Baugh W P, Eichenfield L F. Vascular and pigmented birthmarks.  Pediatr Clin North Am. 2000;  47 783-812
  • 4 Namba Y, Mae O, Ao M. The treatment of port-wine stains with a dye laser: a study of 644 patients.  Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2001;  35 197-202
  • 5 Scherer K, Lorenz S, Wimmershoff M, Landthaler M, Hohenleutner U. Both the flashlamp-pumped dye laser and the long-pulsed tunable dye laser can improve results in port-wine stain therapy.  Br J Dermatol. 2001;  145 79-84
  • 6 Chowdhury M M, Harris S, Lanigan S W. Potassium titanyl phosphate laser treatment of resistant port-wine stains.  Br J Dermatol. 2001;  144 814-817
  • 7 Chan H H, Chan E, Kono T, Ying S Y, Wai-Sun H. The use of variable pulse width frequency doubled Nd:Yag 532 nm laser in the treatment of port-wine stain in Chinese patients.  Dermatol Surg. 2000;  26 657-661
  • 8 Angermeier M C. Treatment of facial vascular lesions with intense pulsed light.  J Cutan Laser Ther. 1999;  1 95-100
  • 9 Lanigan S W. Acquired port-wine stains: clinical and psychological assessment and response to pulsed dye laser therapy.  Br J Dermatol. 1997;  137 86-90
  • 10 Gupta G, Bilsland D. A prospective study of the impact of laser treatment on vascular lesions.  Br J Dermatol. 2000;  143 356-359
  • 11 Troilius A, Wrangsjo B, Ljunggren B. Patients with port-wine stains and their psychological reactions after photothermolytic treatment.  Dermatol Surg. 2000;  26 190-196
  • 12 Strauss R P, Resnick S D. Pulsed dye laser therapy for port-wine stains in children: psychosocial and ethical issues.  J Pediatr. 1993;  122 505-510
  • 13 Waner M, Suen J Y. The natural history of vascular malformations. In: Waner M, Suen Y Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations of the Head and Neck. New York; Wiley-Liss 1999: 47-82
  • 14 Williams E F, Hove C, Hochman M. The treatment of vascular malformations: port-wine stains.  Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2001;  9 609-619

Edwin F Williams, IIIM.D. 

Williams Center for Facial Plastic Surgery

1072 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110

    >