Treatment of plaque type psoriasis with 308 nm excimer laser

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of 308 nm excimer laser in the treatment of plaque type psoriasis. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with plaque type of psoriasis vulgaris were enrolled in the study and treated with 308 nm excimer laser. The initial dose was based on three-fold of a predetermined minimal erythema dose (MED). Patients were treated thrice a week for up to 6 weeks. The main parameters were the modified psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the numbers of treatment, the self-estimation of patients and the adverse effects of treatment. Results: Thirty patients finished the treatment. After 18 treatments, the skin lesion of 5 cases (16.7%) completely cleared with a decrease of PASI score more than 90%, and 16 patients (53.3%) cleared with a decrease of PASI score more than 60%. 63.3% of patientsreported good or excellent therapeutic effect. No severe side effects were observed. Conclusions: The 308 nm excimer laser in clearing skin lesions is faster than that of conventional phototherapy in psoriasis vulgaris, it is an effective and safe approach to treat plaque psoriasis.