The Influence of Different Treatment Intervals on the Efficacy of Hemoporfin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy in Pediatric Patients With Port-Wine Stain on the Periphery of the Face

Background: Hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy (Hemoporfin-PDT) is considered an effective treatment for Port-wine stain (PWS). However, no studies have explored the effects of different treatment intervals on the efficacy of Hemoporfin-PDT. This study aimed to analyze the impact of different treatment intervals on the efficacy of Hemoporfin-PDT in pediatric facial PWS patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the clinical data of 95 pediatric facial PWS patients who received Hemoporfin-PDT treatment from March 2018 to October 2023 in our center. The association between efficacy and sex, age, and treatment interval was analyzed. Results: After three sessions of Hemoporfin-PDT, 87.37% of patients achieved excellent or good efficacy, 11.58% had fair efficacy, and 1.05% had poor efficacy. The efficacy of patients with a 9-month treatment interval was significantly inferior to those with 3-month and 6-month intervals (OR: 6.99, 95% CI: 1.63–30.02, p = 0.009; OR: 10.92, 95% CI: 2.18–54.76, p = 0.004). However, there was no significant difference between patients with 3-month and 6-month intervals (p = 0.45). Sex and age were not found to be associated with the efficacy of Hemoporfin-PDT. Conclusion: In pediatric PWS patients with pink-type lesions located on the peripheral face, clinical efficacy is associated with the treatment interval. The efficacy of patients with a 9-month treatment interval is significantly inferior to those with 3-month and 6-month intervals. While the influence of age on the efficacy of Hemoporfin-PDT remains inconclusive, we still believe that early initiation of treatment is beneficial and necessary.