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Continuous wave KTP laser effective for treating xanthelasma palpebrarum

Continuous wave potassium titanyl phosphate laser therapy was safe and effective treatment for xanthelasma palpebrarum, according to published study results.

“Xanthelasma paplebrarum (XP) are the most common cutaneous xanthoma, presenting as yellow plaques that occur most commonly near the inner canthus of the upper and lower eyelid,” researchers in the Netherlands wrote. “Although XP is associated with hypertriglyceridemia and associated risk for cardiovascular disease, the skin lesions are often of primary cosmetical concern.”

The researchers studied 30 white patients (16 women; mean age, 50.1 years), with a mean history of XP of more than 3 years, who presented between January 2013 and January 2015. The patients were treated with a 532-nm continuous wave-potassium titanyl phosphate (CW-KTP) laser (spot size: 0.9 mm; power: 5 W; fluence: 36 to 38 J/cm²; pulse width: 46 milliseconds; frequency: 2 Hz; passes per session: 3). There was no local anesthesia or dynamic cooling device used.

Safety and efficacy data were collected and analyzed.

Twenty-six patients (87%) had an excellent response to treatment or cosmetic result after two treatments, with three other patients needing more than two treatments to achieve the same response. Twenty-nine patients (97%) experienced efficacy considered outstanding, “achieving an excellent final response/cosmetic outcome.”

One week with crusted lesions was downtime reported.

Slight hypopigmentation was reported for the patients.

No major adverse effects were reported. Three patients experienced adverse effects, including one with extensive pain during treatment, one with extensive crust formation posttreatment, and one with hypopigmentation that was more than expected from the laser treatment.

There were at least 13 patients (43%) who experienced recurrences of XP within 1 year.

“Continuous wave 532-nm KTP laser therapy is a safe and highly effective treatment option for XP, although regular follow-up treatments are often necessary to maintain the achieved cosmetic results,” the researchers concluded. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.