Pulsed dye laser therapy for viral warts

Twenty-eight patients with 103 recalcitrant and 20 simple viral warts were treated with the Cynosure PhotoGenica V pulsed dye laser at 585 nm, and flu encies of 6.0-9.0 J/cm(2). An eradication rate of 92% for recalcitrant wart s after an average of 2.1 (range 1-7) treatments and 75% for simple warts a fter an average of 1.6 (range 1-2) treatments was achieved with a mean foll ow-up period of 7.2 (range 3-15) months. Mild hypopigmentation was noted in one patient and superficial infection in another. Unlike ablative treatmen t modalities, with pulsed dye laser therapy, no wound was created thus avoi ding prolonged postoperative pain, disability and scarring. Treatment was w ell tolerated by patients, most of whom returned to work or normal activiti es immediately postoperatively. Pulsed dye laser is an effective treatment for both recalcitrant and simple warts. It is the treatment of choice for t hese lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas. (C) 1999 The British Associat ion of Plastic Surgeons.