Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment of Verrucae Vulgares

Abstract

A report is presented on the use of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for the removal of recalcitrant warts of hands and feet of 27 patients. Of the 27 patients 22 (81%) required only one laser treatment to eradicate warts and remain free of lesions at the 6-month follow-up visit. The other patients required up to 3 retreatments with the laser during the first 6 months to remain free of lesions at a 6-month follow-up. The CO2 laser provided a bloodless surgical field, accurate control, minimal postoperative pain, and decreased postoperative infection. The authors conclude that, while the CO2 laser is not without its disadvantages, it should be considered an important adjunct in the treatment of difficult, widespread, or recalcitrant verrucae.

Local treatment of HPV‐induced skin lesions by Cidofovir

“…Disadvantages include increased healing time, scarring and spread of potentially infectious viral particles through the vacuum aspirator. Complications of laser ablation include pain, pruritus, discharge, swelling, ulceration, stricture and scar formation [McBurney and Rosen, 1984]. Most studies report the efficacy for external genital lesions ranging from 60-90%, with recurrence between 5-10% [Baker and Tyring, 1997].…”

“…IFN-a makes the virus-infected epithelial cells more recognizable by the immune system, activates the cellular immune system and downregulates oncogenes [McBurney and Rosen, 1984]. IFN-a injections are limited by the associated side effects such as pain, discomfort, and mostly a flu-like syndrome.…”

Tattoo Removal

“…They were small, affordable, and could be used for multiple dermatological indications. The CW CO 2 was used as an ablative tool for various indications, and the CW argon was the first laser used to treat vascular conditions such as port-wine stains [33,34]. One study summarized the findings of many regarding the cosmetic outcome of tattoo removal with CW CO 2 laser: although the laser delivered better results than chemical or mechanical methods, there was still unacceptable scarring [35].…”

Lasers in Dermatology

“…A variety of epidermal and dermal growths including seborrheic keratoses, verrucae vulgaris, [98,99] condyloma acuminatum, [100][101][102] sebaceous gland hyperplasia, xanthelasma, [103] rhinophyma, [104] trichoepitheliomas, [105] syringomas, actinic cheilitis, [106][107][108] superficial basal cell carcinomas, [109] and squamous cells in situ, [110][111] can be effectively vaporized with a high-energy, pulsed CO 2 laser. Verrucae and condyloma acuminata have also been treated with 585nm pulsed dye laser irradiation, [112][113][114][115] whereby coagulation of congested 'feeder' blood vessels occurs, leading to a diminution of their nutritional supply and eventual lesional regression.…”