Background and objectives: Spider leg veins are telangiectasias located intracutaneously. This condition poses a cosmetic problem.
Study design/patients and methods: The purpose of this study was to determine what influence the KTP (532 nm) laser has on spider leg veins dependent on the vascular diameter and to what extent the skin has been affected. Seventy female patients were treated in three laser sessions. Analysis was done 30 weeks after the last laser treatment session.
Results: Fifty-six patients completed the study. In group 1 (vascular diameter < or = 0.6 mm), spider leg veins were no longer visible in 33%; in 40%, a decrease in vascular diameter could be observed; in 27%, no change in size occurred. In group 2 (vascular diameter 0.7-1.0 mm), laser-treated spider leg veins were visible in all patients. Hyperpigmentation occurred in 13 patients.
Conclusions: The KTP (532 nm) laser is an effective for treating spider leg veins having a vascular diameter under 0.7 mm.
Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.