Comparison of efficacy of electrocautery vs. cryotherapy in the treatment viral warts

Abstract

Background: Warts are common cutaneous viral infections due to human papilloma virus (HPV) mostly affecting school age children and adults.1 Various therapeutic modalities are available including topical, physical, and systemic therapies. Physical therapies are considered to be effective in the management of viral warts. This study aims to compare the efficacy of electrocautery with cryotherapy in the treatment of viral warts.Patients and methods: This randomized trial was conducted in Dermatology Department of GHAQ / DHQ Teaching Hospital/SLMC, Sahiwal from October 2020 to March 2021.A total of 50 patients with clinical diagnosis of warts either sex with age ranging from 5-60 years were enrolled in the study and were divided into two equal groups. Patients excluded were those with evidence of any superadded infection and number of warts >6, having documented hypersensitivity to lignocaine or taking any treatment for warts in last month. After obtaining an informed written consent group A was treated with electrocautery and group B with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy. The patients were treated until the complete clearance of warts or maximum of eight sessions on weekly basis. Demographic and clinical data as efficacy (cleared if not palpable or visible to naked eye) was recorded on predesigned proforma and was analyzed by using chi-square test through SPSS version 25. Results: Out of total 50 patients, there were 27 (54%) male and 23 (46%) female patients, with an overall male to female ratio was 1:0.7. Most commonly observed clinical type of wart were plantar warts in 28 (56%) followed by palmar in 6 (12%). Electrocautery was found to be effective therapy in treatment of wart as indicated by complete clearance noticed in 19 (76%) patients as compared to cryotherapy in 11 (44%) participants.Conclusion: Electrocautery is more effective as compared to cryotherapy in the treatment of warts especially plantar and deep-seated. However, promising effects of cryotherapy is seen in common and multiple warts as compared to electrocautery.

Energy-Based Devices for the Treatment of Cutaneous Verrucae: A Systematic Review

“…The remission rate of warts on the hands, feet, and face treated with PDL as a monotherapy varied from 48% to 100% over a follow-up period of 1 to 33 months (see Supplemental Digital Content 1 , Table S1, http://links.lww.com/DSS/B362). 20–25 PDL parameters varied among studies, including spot size (5–10 mm), pulse duration (38 ns to 1.5 ms), fluence (5–15 J/cm 2 ), cooling methods, and the number of pulses (range, 1–5). The mean number of treatments ranged from 1.3 to 6.3, and treatment intervals ranged from 1 to 8 weeks.…”

“…Similar to the Nd:YAG laser, adverse effects of the PDL include local pain during and after the procedure, erythema, swelling, bullae, crusting, bruising, scarring, secondary bacterial infections, and pigmentary changes. 24,34,35…”

Comparison of Topical Adapalene and Electrocautery in Treatment of Plane Warts

“…Complete cure was witnessed in 73% patients and 90% of the patients were satisfied with their treatment outcome. However, few recent studies showed that clearance rate of warts after treatment with electro-cautery ranged from 74-77% respectively 16,7 .…”

A Novel Ayurvedic treatment - Arthrothermia® for Osteoarthritis

“…In comparison to more invasive surgical techniques like excision or cryotherapy, alkaline cautery is often less invasive, rendering it suitable for individuals averse to extensive surgery. [26] Additionally, alkaline cautery proves cost-effective in contrast to surgical interventions, enhancing accessibility for a broader spectrum of patients. Furthermore, recovery periods following alkaline cautery are typically shorter, entailing minimal scarring or tissue damage.…”