Installation of solarium - 2000 for phototherapy

Introduction

Phototherapy is effective in the treatment of many skin disorders. Ultraviolet for phototherapy can be delivered from sunlight or from artificial UV chambers. Sunlight is economical and freely available but varies with time and place, altitude, atmospheric conditions[1] and is difficult to administer if proper place is not available. We have constructed a solarium, which overcomes many of the inherent disadvantages of using sunlight as a source of UV light for phototherapy.

Materials and Methods

Installation of solarium [Figure - 1]

A uniformly illuminated site on the roof top with access to water and electricity was selected. A two room structure 101 X 111 X 81611 with a common wall separating the two rooms was erected. The height of the front wall was 7′ to promote drainage of rainwater and to clean the roof. A gap of 1[1] was left along the three walls at the top for ventilation. The roof was made with 5mm thick window glass. A main frame of 21 x 21x ¼11 MS angle was made. Intermediate support of 1 "x11x′/4" Tangle was added along the length to lend additional support of the glass. Multiple glass sheets 31911 x 31311 were used.

A fiberglass bath tub of 61611 x 21 size was installed in each room. The bath tub was scored for 25L, 50L, 80L and 100L. At one side of either room a platform 10′ x 3′ was installed and ceramic tiles were placed to prevent overheating by sunlight. The floor was slightly inclined to facilitate water drainage. Other facilities included a shower for bathing after phototherapy, a full - length mirror, cloth hanger and a geyser to provide warm water.

Mesurement and monitoring of UVA

A PMA 2100 meter with UVA detector PMA 2100 (solar light, Philadelphia) was used. The instrument with data logging and integration capabilities is programmed to read UVA at m.w/cm2. The meter can be programmed for a predetermined dose of UVA irrespective of the irradiance from the source and this enabled us to deliver the required dose at any given time. An in-built alarm system would single the completion of the treatment.

Bath water psoralen delivery is administered by standard protocol[2] following which the patient is exposed to UV rays from sunlight for PUVASOL.

Discussion

The solarium offers the following advantages over standard PUVASOL. The meters enable the accurate exposure to UV light. The glass rooftop cuts off the UVB not needed for PUVASOL. The bathtub permits bath water delivery of psoralen, and the enclosed structure offers privacy especially for the female patients and the male increase in the exposure time by the PMA meter.

The disadvantages of the solarium are as follows. The patient has to travel to the hospital for the treatment, whereas PUVASOL without solarium can be administered at any suitable place. The solarium needs regular housekeeping that includes cleaning the glass roof. It was observec that the deposition of fine layer of dust prolongs the exposure time and the time taken fo administration of phototherapy in a solarium is relatively longer than using artificial units.