Fractional 2940-nm Er:YAG laser-assisted drug delivery of timolol maleate for the treatment of deep infantile hemangioma

Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of fractional 2940 nm laser-assisted drug delivery of timolol maleate 0.5% solution for the treatment of deep IHs.

Methods: In this study, 30 deep IHs were included, and a fractional 2940 nm laser was applied with 2-weeks intervals. Topical timolol maleate 0.5% was applied under occlusion for 30 min four times/day for 24 weeks. The plasma concentration of timolol maleate was monitored for 0.5 h after the first treatment. The HAS scores and the depth, lateral diameter, vertical diameter of hemangiomas were evaluated before treatment, at 8 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment, and at 4 weeks after treatment.

Results: Twenty-three patients (76.7%) demonstrated excellent regression, 4(13.3%) showed good response, and 3(10%) experienced moderate regression. The HAS score was declined from 3.6 ± 0.7 to 2.3 ± 0.6 at 8 weeks, and from 1.3 ± 0.5 to 0.8 ± 0.5 at 24 weeks (p < .05). Plasma timolol concentration was not detected in 11 infants, and the rest ranged from 1.580 pg/mL to 14.718 pg/mL, which were <1 ng/mL. No systemic complications were observed in any patients.

Conclusion: Fractional 2940 nm laser-assisted drug delivery of timolol maleate 0.5% is considered to be an effective and safe method for treating deep IHs.