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Cutaneous vascular lesions in the pediatric population: a review of laser surgery applications and lesion-specific device parameters

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Abstract

Laser surgery is becoming an increasingly efficacious and customizable treatment modality for the management of pediatric vascular lesions. Proper use requires a thorough understanding of the scientific principles of laser surgery and knowledge of the various lasers available. Moreover, each laser has a multitude of settings that can be employed to properly target the lesion at hand. Each patient will present with unique challenges and variations in the presentation of their vascular lesion. This requires understanding of the most effective laser to use for each lesion and the factors that may alter the desired device settings. Using key search terms, a literature search was conducted on laser surgery for pediatric vascular lesions using PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase for articles published in English or French. Ultimately, 52 articles met our search criteria. The laser indications, limitations, and settings utilized for each type of vascular lesion were compiled for the purposes of this summative review. Laser surgery is an effective and appropriate option for the treatment of certain pediatric vascular lesions. Knowledge of optimal device parameters in every setting is essential to good clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Thomas Vazquez, Pooja Gurnani & Shifa Akhtar

  2. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Thomas Vazquez, Mahtab Forouzandeh, Pooja Gurnani & Keyvan Nouri

  3. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 NW 12th Ave., 2nd Floor, Unit 2099, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Thomas Vazquez

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Correspondence to Thomas Vazquez.

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Vazquez, T., Forouzandeh, M., Gurnani, P. et al. Cutaneous vascular lesions in the pediatric population: a review of laser surgery applications and lesion-specific device parameters. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1681–1687 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03058-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03058-3

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