ABSTRACT
Varicose vein can cause embarrassment in life not only for pathophysiological reasons but also for aesthetic reasons, especially when wearing shorts or swimming suits. The main traditional therapy has been the surgical obliteration or stripping of greater or lesser saphenous veins. However, as the varicose veins are not bothersome in life, many patients can not easily decide to receive such painful operations. In Europe, the sclerotherapy has been applied since several decades ago with good results, which can obliterate these veins by the simple injection of a sclerosing solution into the vessel. From 1995 to 1999, We conducted the sclerotherapy of varicose veins in 549 patients (765 cases). Selected sclerosing agent was Fibrovein (sodium tetradecyl sulfate) which has the safest, painless and excellent effect. Due to the above mentioned benefits, this agent has been used popularly by phlebologist in the world. The results were excellent, average treatment sessions were 3 times and average follow up period was 1 year (3 months - 5 years). Most of the patients were satisfied with the results and no severe complications were observed. Recurrence were recognized in 69 cases (9%) within the first year. We did not experience any life threatening allergic reaction nor severe complications. The pain elicited by needle injection could be minimized using small caliber. In conclusion, compression sclerotherapy is simple, safe, excellent treatment for varicose veins and it would be applicable in the field of plastic surgery.
Subject(s)
Humans , Europe , Follow-Up Studies , Hypersensitivity , Lower Extremity , Needles , Recurrence , Saphenous Vein , Sclerotherapy , Surgery, Plastic , Swimming , Varicose Veins , VeinsABSTRACT
A various type of hairline and height of forehead is considered as a result of genetic effect. The conventional corrective surgical operation of low hairline in forehead has been too complicated and painful to apply, and also has many disadvantages such as scar, bleeding, risks of anesthesia. Recently four classes of devices are designed to remove hair with intense light beam : Nd-Yag lasers with carbon cream, the Ruby lasers, the Alexandrite lasers, and the polychromic broad band light source of flashlamp technology. The goal of these therapeutic modality is to destroy the melanin pigment selectively in hair follicle without injuring the skin for permanent epilation. We have been used long pulse infrared Alexandrite laser for treat low hair line in 27 patients from Dec. 1997 to Dec. 1998. We experienced 3 cases of temporary hyperpigmentation and 1 case of bulla, and the most of patients were satisfied in 89%. The average lengthening of forehead was 2.2cm (median line) and 2.3cm (paramedian line). We achieved successful result without permanent hyperpigmentation or scarring
Subject(s)
Humans , Anesthesia , Carbon , Cicatrix , Forehead , Hair Follicle , Hair Removal , Hair , Hemorrhage , Hyperpigmentation , Lasers, Solid-State , Melanins , SkinABSTRACT
Excess hair growth in unwanted areas may result from heredity, endocrine disease, or drug therapy. Conventional methods of hair removal include shaving, wax epilation and chemical depilatories that frequently cause side effects such as contact dermatitis and that also have temporary effects. Electrolysis is a well-established medical method for permanent destruction of terminal hair follicles. However, this method is tedious and efficacy has been reported to range from 15-to-50% permanent hair loss. The evolution of the laser use for hair removal continues a year after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first laser for these applications. The authors have experienced hair removal utilizing a long-pulsed alexandrite laser. This laser system employs the principle of thermokinetic selectivity, a revolutionary concept. The principle of thermokinetic selectivity involves the use of lasers with pulse durations below the thermal relaxation on a the large target such as the hair folllicle (40-100 msec), and significantly longer than the thermal relaxation time of smaller structures of the same chromophore (melanin) in epidermis (3-10 msec). The study was based on 76 patients treated with 20 msec pulse duration laser set to energy densities of 17-21 J/cm2. Treated areas included arms, legs, beard-chin, upper lips and bikini lines. Gross observation showed leaching of hair color, decresed size of the skin pores, easily broken hair shafts, and elimination of hair. Therefore, it can be assumed that the majority of hair follicles were destroyed by this procedure, Side effects included intermediary risk of hyperpigmentation and blister. Over 80% of treated patients were satisfied with the results. As the process of research and clinical application continues, we need the long-term results of this laser system to ensure its efficacy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arm , Blister , Dermatitis, Contact , Drug Therapy , Electrolysis , Endocrine System Diseases , Epidermis , Hair Color , Hair Follicle , Hair Removal , Hair , Heredity , Hyperpigmentation , Lasers, Solid-State , Leg , Lip , Relaxation , Skin , United States Food and Drug AdministrationABSTRACT
The nevus of Ota is a benign dermal melanocytic lesion that most commonly occurs unilaterally in areas innervated by the first and second division of the trigeminal nerve. Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules(ABNOM) are located bilaterally on the forehead, temples, eyelids, cheeks, and/or nose. They usually occur in the fourth or fifth decade of life in women(rarely in men). In contrast to the nevus of Ota, ABNOM have not been observed in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nose, or eyes. Traditional treatments were palliative, risky electrocautery, or cryotherapy. These methods resulted in permanent pigmentary changes and/or scarring. Recently utilizing the principle of selective photothermolysis, the Q-switched Alexandrite laser has been reported to be successful in treating benign pigmentary lesions and tattoos. Our study evaluated the treatment of 127 patients with nevus of Ota and ABNOM with the Q-switched Alexandrite laser(755 nm, 100 nsec). Nevi were treated up to 7 times with 7-8 J/cm2 at a minimum of 6 weeks interval. Good therapeutic effects were gained (up to 50% improvement was seen in 89% of patients.) and our patients were very satisfied. No patients had permanent textural change or scarring. Treatment with on Alexandrite laser for nevus of Ota & ABNOM is considered to be a safe and effective method.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cheek , Cicatrix , Cryotherapy , Electrocoagulation , Eyelids , Forehead , Lasers, Solid-State , Mouth , Mucous Membrane , Nevus of Ota , Nevus , Nose , Trigeminal NerveABSTRACT
No abstract available.