Epidermal nevi treated by carbon dioxide laser vaporization: a series of 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal nevi are benign proliferations of epidermis. Numerous treatment modalities have been tried, but no ideal treatment is yet available. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with CO(2) laser vaporization in the treatment of verrucous epidermal nevi, and to identify which factors could have influence in long-term results. METHODS: A total of 25 patients were treated with the CO(2) laser in the superpulsed mode, focalized at 2 W/cm(2). The patients were between 3 and 41 years old (mean: 17 years). A total of 44% of lesions were <20 cm(2), 40% measured between 20 and 100 cm(2) and 16% were >100 cm(2). The follow-up was 4-79 months (mean: 28 months). In 76% of patients, multiple treatment sessions were required. RESULTS: Good results were achieved in 92% of patients with soft, flattened nevi and in only 33% patients with keratotic nevi. In addition, 87% of the latter had moderate results and 12.5% had poor results. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the CO(2) laser in superpulsed mode is an effective and safe treatment for verrucous epidermal nevi and provides fewer recurrences than other laser therapies. We also believe that the most determining factor for the cosmetic result is thickness of the nevus.