Treatment of therapy-resistant Verrucae vulgares with the long-pulsed tunable dye laser

Background. Common warts are induced by human papilloma virus (HPV) types 1 -4, 26-29, 38, 41, 49, 57, 63, and 65 and can be found in up to 10% of adul ts and children. Many treatment modalities have been used to destroy the in fected viral cells. These include the use of various methods such as salicy lic acids, cryosurgery, curettage, and electrocautery. Patients/methods. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the long-pulsed tunable dye laser (LPTDL) in the treatment of verrucae vulg ares. Twenty-four patients with recalcitrant warts were included in the stu dy. Thirty-one warts were treated in these patients. Results. Two patients (6.5%) were completely freed of their warts,and a red uction of > 75% was attained in 12.9%. Nine patients (29%) experienced a re duction of < 50%. Conclusions. The LPTDL represents another quick treatment modality with low side effects, but only low clearance rates could be found in this study.