308-nm excimer lamp vs. 308-nm excimer laser for treating vitiligo: a randomized study

Abstract

Background: The 308-nm excimer laser and 308-nm excimer lamp have both been shown to be effective in treating vitiligo but a direct comparison has never been performed.

Objectives: To test the equivalence of these two devices for treating nonsegmental vitiligo.

Patients and methods: A randomized monocentric study was undertaken. One lesion was treated with the 308-nm excimer laser and its counterpart with the 308-nm excimer lamp. Lesions were treated twice weekly with the same dose on both sides for a total of 24 sessions. The evaluation was done by two independent physicians blinded to the treatment on direct light and ultraviolet light photos.

Results: Twenty patients were included: 17 completed the study and 104 lesions were treated. The two treatments showed similar results in terms of efficacy for a repigmentation of at least 50% (P = 0.006). The lamp induced more erythema than the laser.

Conclusions: The 308-nm excimer lamp and laser showed a similar efficacy in treating vitiligo. For the same fluence, the lamp induced more erythema suggesting photobiological differences between the two devices.