Twenty Years of Clinical Experience with a New Modality of Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy for Port Wine Stains

BACKGROUND: Port wine stains (PWS) are congenital capillary malformations of the skin and are difficult to treat without scarring. Since January 1991, our group has performed a new modality of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) for PWS treatment. OBJECTIVE: To summarize our clinical experiences with vascular-targeted PDT for PWS at Chinese PLA General Hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Our group has collected and reviewed retrospective clinical research data of vascular-targeted PDT for treating PWS since January 1991. RESULTS: Clinical studies showed that vascular-targeted PDT is an effective treatment for all types of PWS. Repetitive treatment sessions were usually needed to obtain a better cosmetic effect. No recurrence was seen in patients followed up for longer than 19 years. There were no significant side effects or adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: This new PDT is an effective, safe, and noninvasive modality with no recurrence for PWS, although the protocol for PDT requires further optimization.