Treatment of resistant acral vitiligo with fractional Er:YAG laser
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v4i4.486Keywords:
acral vitiligo, erbium-YAG laser, NB-UVBAbstract
Objectives To detect the results of treatment of refractory acral vitiligo by combination of fractional erbium-YAG (Er:YAG) 2940 nm laser and
narrow band-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in comparison with NB-UVB alone.
Methods Thirty four patients who had generalized, stable (6 months or more) with resistant acral vitiligo were enrolled. The predominantly
affected limbs, lower or upper, were treated with both laser and NB-UVB, while the less predominantly affected limbs were treated with
NB-UVB alone. During the treatment period, the patients were seen every 4 weeks regularly.
Results The response rate in areas treated with both fractional Er:YAG laser and NB-UVB was as follows: Four patients (13.3%) had good
response, six patients (20%) had moderate response and seven patients (23.3%) had poor response and 13 patients (43.3%) had no
response. The statistical analysis showed a significant response (P-value <0.001).
Conclusion Combination therapy is safe and more effective in the treatment of acral vitiligo than NB-UVB monotherapy.
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