LAUSR

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although topical corticosteroids are still the first-line option for vitiligo, its efficacy is still unsatisfactory for stable vitiligo. A few studies have focused on laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) but were limited by their sample deficiency and analyses of the influencing factors. To determine the efficacy, adverse events, and their influencing factors of fractional erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser-assisted topical delivery of corticosteroids in stable vitiligo. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 1,026 lesions in 684 patients with stable vitiligo who underwent treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser-assisted delivery of topical compound betamethasone solution between January 2014 and December 2017. Multi-factors associated with different outcomes were analyzed by logistic regression in this study. RESULTS A total of 413 of 1,026 lesions (40.3%) were effective 12 months after the first treatment. Age (<14 years old), disease duration (<1 year), lesion location (on face and neck), hairy lesions, and drug concentration were independent factors associated with effective repigmentation. A common adverse event was hyperpigmentation (14.4%), which was highly correlated with 22% density. CONCLUSIONS Fractional Er:YAG laser-assisted delivery of topical compound betamethasone is a good option for the management of vitiligo. The treatment may be suggested in these situations: younger patients, shorter disease duration, and lesions on the face and neck with hair. The appearance of white hair in the lesion area does not affect our confidence in vitiligo treatment. Density >22% may cause hyperpigmentation, but it does not significantly contribute to the efficacy. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.