Topical anaesthetic effects on skin vasculature with potential implications for laser treatment.

Laser treatment of vascular lesions is affected by parameters including the diameter and depth of the vessels and flow within the vessels. Topical anaesthetics are in common use prior to laser treatment but may have effects on vessel parameters and, subsequently, the efficacy of laser treatment. Eleven patients with capillary vascular malformations were investigated for vessel diameter before and after elective application of a topical anaesthetic, Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics (EMLA) (AstraZeneca) or Ametop (S&N Health), prior to pulsed dye laser treatment.

Effects of perforator number and location on the total pedicle flow and perfusion of zone IV skin and fat of DIEP flaps.

Background: DIEP flaps are a popular choice for autologous breast reconstruction, though many surgeons routinely discard zone IV, limiting transferrable tissue. We investigated the effect of altering number and location of perforators supplying the flap on total pedicle flow and perfusion of skin and fat of zone IV.

Methods: 20 cranially-based abdominal epigastric perforator flaps were raised in rats on two perforators.

A direct comparison of pulsed dye, alexandrite, KTP and Nd:YAG lasers and IPL in patients with previously treated capillary malformations.

Introduction: Several studies have reported laser treatment of Capillary Malformations (CMs) using systems other than pulsed dye lasers (PDL). Few, however, have compared different systems in the same patients. This study aimed to directly compare CM fading using five different systems.

Capillary vascular malformation response to increased ambient temperature is dependent upon anatomical location.

Background: It has been documented that capillary malformations (CMs) located on the limbs tend to respond less well to laser treatment than those sited on the head and neck. However, there is little evidence available to explain this observation.

Objectives: To investigate potential differences between CMs located on the head and neck with those on the limbs, by comparing their response to increasing ambient temperature.

The validation of the Depth Measurement Videomicroscope (DMV) as a noninvasive tool for the assessment of capillary vascular malformations.

The assessment of capillary vascular malformation (CM) morphology can be performed using videomicroscopy. Previously only the type of capillary pattern could be demonstrated. The Depth Measurement Videomicroscope (DMV) allows both depth and diameter of CM vessels to be measured.

The effect of varying pulse duration, wavelength, spot size, and fluence on the response of previously treated capillary vascular malformations to pulsed-dye laser treatment.

Modern lasers allow different parameters to be altered in an effort to gain further improvement in otherwise resistant capillary vascular malformations (CMs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of changing the pulse duration, wavelength, spot size, and fluence on the color and capillary architecture of 585-nm pulsed-dye, laser-resistant CMs. Eighteen patients were assessed with a depth measurement videomicroscope (DMV) before and after 12 test patches with ScleroPlus and V-Beam lasers at specified parameters.

Noninvasive in vivo assessment of vessel characteristics in capillary vascular malformations exposed to five pulsed dye laser treatments.

Background: The treatment of capillary vascular malformations by pulsed dye laser results in fading of these disfiguring lesions in the majority of patients. In only a minority, however, is full clearance of the lesion achieved. It is believed that the capillary composition of a capillary vascular malformation is an important determinant of whether it will respond to further laser treatment.

The relationship between location, color, and vessel structure within capillary vascular malformations.

The treatment of capillary vascular malformations by laser is well established. Despite this, only a minority of patients obtain full clearance of their lesion after treatment. Both anatomic location and color have been proposed as prognostic factors determining the amount of improvement seen after laser treatment.

The depth measuring videomicroscope (DMV): a non-invasive tool for the assessment of capillary vascular malformations.

Background And Objectives: The response of capillary vascular malformations (CVMs) to laser treatment is believed to be due to the pattern of capillary ectasia, the depth, diameter, and flow through these capillaries and the amount of competing chromophores within the skin. Videomicroscopy has successfully been used to determine CVM capillary pattern and diameter of vessels. The depth measuring videomicroscope (DMV) allows the depth of capillaries to be measured also.