Xanthelasma palpebrarum: treatment with the ultrapulsed CO2 laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Due to its delicate location near the eye and the high recurrence rate, the therapy of xanthelasma palpebrarum is a difficult surgical task. Besides chemical, physical, and surgical procedures, various laser systems have been used to treat these lesions (argon laser, pulsed dye laser, and CO2 laser). This study was designed to critically evaluate the use of the ultrapulsed CO2 laser for the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report about the standardized treatment of 23 patients (52 periorbital xanthelasmas) and the results obtained after one treatment with a new generation, ultrapulsed CO2 laser (COHERENT Ultrapulse 5000C, Palo Alto, CA; 250-500 mJ; 600-900 microsec; 10,600 nm). The followup time was 10 months.

RESULTS: All lesions could be removed completely with a single laser treatment. As for side effects, only transient pigmental changes (4% hyperpigmentations, 13% hypopigmentations) and no visible scarring was observed. Three patients (13%) developed a recurrence of xanthelasma.

CONCLUSIONS: The ultrapulsed CO2 laser is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative to the hitherto described approaches.