Factors Affecting Response And Laser Sessions And Complications In Nevus Of Ota Treated By Q-switched Alexandrite Laser:A Retrospective Study

Background:Nevus of Ota is a form of dermal melanosis, producing macular pigmentation on the side of the cheek, adjacent to the eye and involving the sclera, within the distribution of the first two branches of the trigeminal nerve.Objective:To study and analyze the factors that influence the treatment response to Q-switched Alexandrite laser in patients with Nevus of Ota and the factors that influence the number of laser sessions.Methods:48patients treated with Q-switched Alexandrite between2009and2013for Nevus of Ota of the face was enrolled in this retrospective, single-center study.13Males and35Females were divided into three groups according to the number of treatment sessions. Follow up observation period of the patients were called back to the hospital for interviewed and examination. Single and multiple variate analyses of various factors were performed.Results:48patients were predominantly females (48patients;35females,13males, female: male=2.7:1), mean age17.2±10.41. Twenty five (52.1%) had lesions on the right side of the face, twenty two (45.8%) on the left side, and one (2.1%) on both sides. The predominant color was brown (41.7%), followed by cyan (39.6%) and lividity (18.8%).Satisfactory results were observed in all patients after3to11treatment sessions (mean5.37±2);19of these (39.6%) needed three to four sessions (short treatment sessions),22(45.8%) needed five to seven sessions (intermediate treatment sessions), and7(14.6%) needed nine to eleven sessions (long treatment sessions). The clinical response and treatment sessions of the young age group were significantly better than that of the adult. Those with higher Tanino’s classification needed more treatment sessions.Dark color lesions, which reflect deep melanosis of the lesions, needed more sessions than lighter lesions. Type of skinshowed better response in light skin patients than in dark ones.Two patients showed transient hypopigmentation that lasted for less than six months, and recurrence had been seen in one child with dark colour lesion.Conclusion:Q-switched Alexandrite laser is an ideal method for treating Nevus of Ota without injury.Less treatment sessions needed for children and younger aged people, brown lesion, lower Tanino’s classification and light skin patients.