To assess the effectiveness of the flashlamp- pumped pulsed dye laser （Photogeneca V

Synosure Corp

Boston

United States） in the treatment of port- wine stains. Methods. One hundred and ninety- four consecutive patients with port- wine stains were treated with a flashlamp- pumped pulsed dye laser in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1998 to August 1999. Results. Of 194 patients who completed treatment

56.2％ had more than 60％ fading of the lesion and only 6.7％ had less than 20％ fading. An average of 3.6 treatments were needed to achieve more than 60％ fading. The response was better in children than in adults

although the difference was not significant. Pigmentary change （usually transient） occurred in 3.1％ of patients. Conclusions. This study confirms the efficacy of the flashlamp- pumped pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port- wine stains in children and adults.