Treatment of facial recalcitrant verruca vulgaris with holmium: YAG laser: An update

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effect and safety of the holmium: YAG laser in the treatment of facial recalcitrant verruca vulgaris. Methods: 42 patients with recalcitrant facial verruca vulgaris (64 warts in all) were enrolled in the study. Warts were treated with holmium: YAG pulsed dye laser with a top energy of 1.2–1.5 J, pulse frequency 10–12 Hertz, average power 10 Watt. Adverse reaction, complication, recurrence and clinical assessment of the lesion were documented with follow-up 6 months. Results: Ages of patients ranged from 16 to 73 years. 62 warts in 42 patients were eliminated by only one treatment session. The average time for wound-healing is 10.3 days. No severe discomfort, bleeding, edema, ulceration and secondary infection developed. No obvious complications were found. Only 4 warts in 3 patients remained mild atrophy scar and 7 warts in 6 patients remained pigment change. These defects became slighter after 6-month follow-up and left no bad effect on aesthetic. Two of the patients encountered recurrence in the treated site follow-up 6 months. Conclusions: Holmium laser is an effective and safe therapy for recalcitrant verruca vulgaris. It is the choice of treatment for those lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas.

Key Words::

• holmium laser
• verruca vulgaris

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.