BACKGROUND- Acquired melanocytic nevi are commonly found and the result of their excision may not be satisfactory depending on their location, extension and factors associated to the patient. OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the use of Erbium:YAG laser in treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi. METHOD - Nine white-skinned patients were selected, six men and three women with aged 20-60 years. All desired to remove one compound acquired melanocytic nevus on the trunk. Half of the nevi was treated with Erbium YAG laser while the remaining were used as control. One month after application, healing, aesthetic results and persistence of melanocytic cells and melanin were evaluated. RESULTS - All patients presented fast healing and excellent aesthetic results. However, the pathologic examination demonstrated permanence of nevus cells and melanin in seven and nine of the samples, respectively. CONCLUSION - Erbium:YAG laser, with the parameters applied in this study, was not capable to completely destroy the melanocytic cells and melanin. Therefore this method can not be recommended for treatment of acquired melanocytic nevi given the possibility of future malignant transformation.
Lasers; Melanocytes; Nevus, pigmented
