Beneficial effects of early treatment of nevus of ota with low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser

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/cm mean fluence. Results: The mean fluence was less in patients younger than 10 years (2.2 ± 0.3 J/cm) than in those older than 10 years (2.8 ± 0.8 J/cm) (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.