Efficacy of hemoporfin photodynamic therapy for pulsed dye laser-resistant facial port-wine stains in 107 children: A retrospective study

Background: Port-wine stains occur in 0.3–0.5% newborns, mainly on the face and neck. Pulsed dye laser is recognized as the gold standard treatment; nevertheless, it is associated with a low cure rate and a high recurrence rate. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hemoporfin photodynamic therapy for pulsed dye laser-resistant port-wine stains in children. Methods: We studied 107 children who received hemoporfin photodynamic therapy for port-wine stains on the face and neck that were resistant to pulsed dye laser. After intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg hemoporfin, the local lesion was irradiated with 532 nm LED green light for 20 min with a power density of 80–100 mW/cm2. A total of 65 patients were given a second treatment after eight weeks. The efficacy and therapeutic responses were recorded at four days and eight weeks after each treatment. Results: The efficacy was positively correlated with the number of treatments received; two treatment sessions yielded significantly better results compared to a single treatment with a response rate of 96.9%, a significant response rate of 50.8% and a cure rate of 21.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). After two treatment sessions, the efficacy was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.04). The efficacy for port-wine stains located on the lateral part was better than that of the central face (P = 0.04). The efficacy for the pink type was better than that for the red and purple types (P = 0.03). No allergic or systematic adverse reactions were reported. Limitations: No objective measurement data were available. Conclusion: Hemoporfin photodynamic therapy is effective and safe for pulsed dye laser-resistant facial port-wine stains in children.