Abstract | BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Palmoplantar warts are often hard to treat. They tend to relapse and the course of therapy is frustrating in many cases. The erbium:YAG laser(Er:YAG) with a wavelength of 2.94 rm is capable of achieving a rapid and precise ablation of warts, but about 14% of patients are non-responders as shown in a previous study. Podophyllotoxin is an established antimitotic agent derived from podophyllum plant resin, approved for human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced genital warts. The combination of both ablative Er:YAG laser and topical 0.5% podophyllotoxin solution in hard-to-treat palmoplantar HPV warts was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with hard-to-treat warts(palmar or plantar) with a mean age of (32.2+12.1) years, range 17-50 years, with various pretreatments that had failed, were treated once by Er:YAG laser ablation with a spot size of 3 mm, a frequency between 8 Hz and 10 Hz, and a fluence of 5.7-11.3 J/cm2. After wound healing, topical podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution was applied for 3 days followed by a break of 4 days. Four to six treatment cycles with podophyllotoxin were performed. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: The therapy of hard-to-treat warts with a combination of Er:YAG laser and topical podophyllotoxin is safe and effective. Compared with laser alone, the CR percentage seems to be higher and the percentage of relapses reduced.
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Authors | Uwe Wollina |
Journal | Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology
(J Cosmet Laser Ther)
Vol. 5
Issue 1
Pg. 35-7
(Apr 2003)
ISSN: 1476-4172 [Print] England |
PMID | 12745597
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Keratolytic Agents
- Podophyllotoxin
|
Topics |
- Administration, Topical
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Female
- Foot Dermatoses
(therapy)
- Hand Dermatoses
(therapy)
- Humans
- Keratolytic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Laser Therapy
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Papillomaviridae
- Podophyllotoxin
(therapeutic use)
- Recurrence
- Treatment Outcome
- Warts
(therapy)
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