[Indications for laser in the treatment of capillary hemangioma]

Port-wine stains (PWS) are the only angiomas concerned with laser treatment. Before availability of tunable dye laser, Argon laser has to be consider as more efficient and safer than CO2 or yag lasers in that indication. As it is painful and not devoid of scarring effect in children it must be used after puberty. Nevertheless sport tests are necessary and have to be red after at least 2 to 6 months, as effect can be delayed to 1 year. Depending on PWS size and shape point by point technique or robotized scanning laser hand piece can be used. Criteria for good results are the followings: intensity of PWS colour, head and upper trunk location, lack of previous treatment, and irregular shape especially non homogeneous PWS with normal coloured skin areas.