The Utilization of Cutaneous Laser Therapy at the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur: A 5-year review

ABSTRACT

Introduction:The Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur has been providing cutaneous laser therapyservices for over 20 years. We aim to describe the utilization of cutaneous laser therapy at the Departmentof Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and the post treatment complications.Methods:We reviewed all patients who received cutaneous laser therapy at the Department of Dermatology, HospitalKuala Lumpur from January 2012 till December 2016. Complications were defined as dyspigmentation,infection, scarring, blisters, ulcerations, skin textural changes or contact dermatitis secondary to post/ pre-lasertopical therapy.Results:A total of 1190 patients with a male to female ratio of 12.21 and a mean age of 35.8 years received single,repeated or combination cutaneous laser therapy from 2012 till 2016 for 48 different skin conditions. Annually,an average of 1314 laser sessions were performed. Indications included seborrhoeic keratosis (249, 20.9%),port wine stain (162, 13.6%), solar lentigines (144, 12.1%), syringoma (105, 8.8%), viral warts (88, 7.4%),and Naevus of Ota (82, 6.9%) among others. Majority underwent Q-switched NdYAG laser (36.5%) followedby pulsed dye laser (33.6%), ablative conventional carbon dioxide laser (29.2%) and fractional carbon dioxidelaser (0.7%). Over the past 5 years, 3 patients developed severe complication post laser therapy which wasblisters. Pain was tolerable with application of topical 5% EMLA? (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) creampre-laser treatment.Conclusion:Q-switched NdYAG laser therapy was the most frequently employed laser in the Department ofDermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Our centre has a high volume of cases with a low rate of posttreatment complication.