As presented by Antonio Campo Voegeli, MD at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
Twenty-Fifth Annual Meeting in
Background and Objective:
The 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser has proved to be one of the most useful light sources for the treatment of deep vascular lesions. A deeper penetration and a lower absorption by haemoglobin makes this wavelength more useful for the treatment of deep or thick vascular lesions than the traditionally used shorter wavelengths (KTP, pulsed dye, IPL, diode) (Figure 1). However, problems with previously used Nd:YAG devices such as limited parameter combinations and pulse durations, non-optimal cooling systems, and uneven fluence distribution made them of limited value for the treatment of superficial or facial vascular lesions, as pain or risk of burning were common events. Since adequate absorption of this wavelength is achieved by haemoglobin, a system able to control depth of penetration through appropriate spot selection (Figure 2), with variable pulse duration to adjust to different vessel diameters, high fluences and optimal cooling systems to avoid pain or burning, should theoretically be able to treat any vascular lesion both superficial and deep or thick. An Nd:YAG laser with variable spot sizes (3, 5, 7 and 10 mm), highly-variable pulse duration (0.1-300 ms) and high fluences (up to 300J/cm2) (CoolGlide Vantage, Cutera) was evaluated for the treatment of a wide spectrum of vascular lesions.
