Comparison of cryotherapy and curettage for the treatment of pyogenic granuloma: a randomized trial

Summary Background Pyogenic granuloma is a benign vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes. Many different treatments have been used, with variable success rates. Objectives To evaluate and compare the effects of cryotherapy and curettage in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma. Methods Eighty‐nine patients with pyogenic granuloma were randomized to receive cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen or curettage and electrodesiccation. Forty patients in the cryotherapy group and 36 patients in the curettage group completed the study period. Results Among the patients who completed the study, treatment resulted in complete resolution of all lesions after one to three sessions (mean 1·42) in the cryotherapy group and after one to two sessions (mean 1·03) in the curettage group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P