OBJECTIVETo assess the efficiency of the PDL in the treatment of PWS in Chinese patients with skin type III-IV.

METHODS252 patients with PWS at different anatomical sites were retrospectively studied. A flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser was used. The differences in therapeutic effect of laser were analyzed in the following ways: (1) by dermatomal distribution of face and neck; (2) by anatomical subdivision of face; (3) by the size of the lesion. The therapeutic effect was graded as 0 < or = poor < 25%, 25% < or = fair < 50%, 50% < or = good < 75%, 75% < or = excellent < or = 100%.

RESULTSIt revealed that the lesions at neck had the best response. The dermatome II zone showed the least response to PDL. Among the anatomical subdivision of face, the frontal area had the highest clearance, while the zygoma and cheek had the lowest clearance. Patients with PWS on the extremities respond less favorably with the fair lightening effect. Furthermore, the mean lightening was decreased as the size of PWS was increased.

CONCLUSIONSThe response difference of PWS to PDL was not only related to the anatomical region, but also related to the lesion size. It is imperative to give the patients rational treatment suggestion and normal expectation.