Open AccessHolmium:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Genital and urethral Warts: Multicentre Prospective Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy
Author(s) -
Michele Del Zingaro,
Giovanni Cochetti,
Alessandro Zucchi,
Alessio Paladini,
J.A. Rossi De Vermandois,
Sara Ciarletti,
Graziano Felici,
G. Maiolino,
Roberto Renzetti,
Gianluca Gaudio,
Ettore Mearini
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of lasers in medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.443
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2228-6721
pISSN - 2008-9783
DOI - 10.34172/jlms.2021.34
Subject(s) - medicine , genital warts , prospective cohort study , surgery , cystoscopy , sex organ , patient satisfaction , quality of life (healthcare) , urinary system , nursing , cervical cancer , cancer , biology , genetics
Genital condylomatosis is a highly contagious disease caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Holmium:YAG (yttrium-aluminium-garnet) laser in the treatment of genital and intra-urethral warts; the secondary aim was to assess the patients’ postoperative satisfaction and cosmetic results. Methods: From December 2016 to March 2019, patients with genital warts were prospectively enrolled in three hospitals. The inclusion criteria were male gender, age over 18 years-old and treatment-naïve. External and urethral genitalia warts were treated by the Holmium YAG laser. The follow-up analysis consisted of physical examination, flexible urethro-cystoscopy in case of meatal lesions, and administration of Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaires at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and subsequently yearly. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled. The single treatment was effective in 57/60 patients (95%). At a mean follow-up of 26 months, recurrences occurred in 8 patients (13.3%). No peri- or post-operative complication occurred. An improvement in pre-operative condition was highlighted with PGI-I and DLQI questionnaires. Conclusion: Our prospective multicentre study showed that holmium laser surgery seems to be a safe and effective treatment for external genital and urethral warts. Good dermatological outcomes aid to further improve patient satisfaction.