Intralesional photocoagulation of subcutaneous congenital vascular disorders
Summary
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on intralesional photocoagulation of subcutaneous congenital vascular disorders.
Description
Intralesional photocoagulation is a laser treatment for people with congenital abnormalities of the blood vessels of the skin (including haemangiomas, port wine stains and arteriovenous malformations). Often these abnormalities require no treatment, as they may spontaneously resolve or cause only mild cosmetic problems. Laser treatment is often recommended for lesions near the eyes or orifices, or if the lesions bleed, ulcerate or become infected.
External laser treatment of vascular abnormalities may not be effective, because the laser beam does not penetrate far beneath the skin. Intralesional photocoagulation involves inserting a laser fibre into the lesion to deliver the light deep within it.
OPCS code:
Details
Cardiovascular
Skin
Surgical procedures
British Association of Dermatologists
British Association of Plastic Surgeons
Contact details:
(for general enquiries or comments)
Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
