Beneficial effects of early treatment of nevus of Ota with 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Childhood nevus of Ota is likely to be more superficial than the adult nevus, therefore early laser treatment of nevus of Ota might have some beneficial effects in children.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the beneficial effects of early treatment of nevus of Ota with a low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors performed a retrospective study of 31 Korean patients (Fitzpatrick skin Type IV) with nevus of Ota. The patients received a series of 6 to 32 treatment sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at settings of 7- or 8-mm spot, 1.9 to 5.0 J/cm2 mean fluence.

RESULTS The mean fluence was less in patients younger than 10 years (2.2 ± 0.3 J/cm²) than in those older than 10 years (2.8 ± 0.8 J/cm²) (p = .006). Patients who started their first treatment earlier required fewer treatment sessions to reach moderate, marked, and near total improvement (p < .05). By starting treatment early, low mean fluence was required to reach the end point in each session (p < .001). Post-treatment hyperpigmentation was observed in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION This treatment was clinically effective and safe for early nevus of Ota using a low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.