Treatment of genital warts in males by pulsed dye laser

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser for the treatment of uncomplicated genital warts in adult males. Methods: This was a prospective observational study set in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Andrology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, the Dermatology Clinic, Cairo University, and the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Suez Canal University. A total of 174 adult male patients with 550 uncomplicated anogenital warts were included. Selective photothermolysis and photocoagulation of the lesions with the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser was carried out. A pulsed dye laser (wavelength 585 nm, 450 s pulse duration; Cynosure, USA) was used with the following settings: spot size 5-7 mm; fluence 9-10 J cm2. Results: Complete resolution of treated warts was achieved in 96% of lesions. Side effects were limited, transient and infrequent. Lesion recurrence rate was 5%. Conclusion: The pulsed dye laser has been found to be safe, effective and satisfactory for the treatment of anogenital warts in males. It could be used to selectively destroy warts without damaging the surrounding skin.