Evaluation of the Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide Laser in the Treatment of Warts in some Sudanese Patients

Abstract

Warts are being epithelial neoplasm of the skin and mucosa resulting from human papiloma virus (HPV) infection. More than 100 types of HPV have been identified. This is a descriptive study done to evaluate the efficacy of carbon dioxide (C02) laser, with a wavelength of 10600 nm, in the treatment of warts in some Sudanese patients. The study was carried out in the laser clinic of the institute of laser, Sudan University of Science and Technology, in the period from April-October 2014. Eight patients (2 females and 6 males) diagnosed clinically as cases of warts were selected for this study after an informed consent was written. The laser used was single pulse C02 laser, with a power of 4 watts, 0.2 second pulse duration in the first session for all patients and 8 watts, 0.3 second in the second and third sessions, in those who didn't respond to the first session or who showed partial resolution of the lesions. Photographs were taken- before and after treatment to observe the response and detect to the side effects, if any. The results obtained showed that two patients received only one laser session, four patients received two sessions and two patients received three sessions. Complete resolution of the lesions occurred in two patients after one session, four patients after two sessions and two patients after three sessions. Three patients developed mild side effects (hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation and erythrma). This study concluded that C02 laser is safe and effective in the treatment of warts. Further studies with large study population and long duration follow up are recommended.