Combination Therapy With AOPT Intense Pulsed Light (Dual‐Band Vascular Filter) and 1064 nm Nd: YAG Laser for Solitary, Superficial Infantile Hemangioma: A Retrospective Study

Objective This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a sequential protocol for treating solitary, superficial infantile hemangioma (IH). The protocol combined an Advanced Optimal Pulse Technology (AOPT) intense pulsed light system, which was equipped with a novel dual‐band vascular filter, with a subsequent long‐pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. We compared this sequential approach to treatment with a long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser alone. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 257 treatment‐naïve children with solitary, superficial IH were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on a chronological cutoff following the introduction of a new AOPT intense pulsed light device in March 2024. The combination therapy group ( n = 113) received treatment with the AOPT intense pulsed light system immediately followed by the Nd:YAG laser. The monotherapy group ( n = 144) was treated with the Nd:YAG laser alone. The primary efficacy endpoint was the overall improvement rate. Time to improvement was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression, and safety was assessed by the incidence of adverse events. Results The combination therapy group achieved a significantly higher overall response rate (92.9% vs. 82.6%, p = 0.014). Cox regression analysis confirmed that combination therapy significantly accelerated the time to improvement (hazard ratio = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08–1.88, p = 0.011). The final complete cure rate and the overall incidence of adverse events were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion For solitary, superficial IH, the sequential treatment protocol using an AOPT intense pulsed light system with an integrated dual‐band vascular filter, followed by long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser, is a safe and effective local strategy. It significantly accelerates lesion regression and improves the treatment response rate compared to Nd:YAG laser monotherapy.