ABSTRACT
Background: genital warts are the most common viral sexually transmitted disease affecting 1% of the population. A prospective, open-label controlled trial was performed to compare topical 5% potassium hydroxide [KOH] solution with CO[2] laser in the treatment of female genital warts
Methods: seventy patients were enrolled in the study after convenience sampling. Right-sided lesions of the patients were treated by CO[2] laser every 3 weeks. The left-sided lesions of the same patients were treated by topical 5% KOH solution twice a day using a toothpick with cotton wrap on the tip. The patients were visited at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after initiation of the treatment and followed up for 6 months after the last visit
Results: out of seventy patients, sixty three completed the study and were analyzed. A total of 56 KOH treated-patients [88.9%] showed complete response. On the other hand, 56 laser-treated patients [88.9%] presented complete clearing of the lesion. There was not any difference in response to both modalities of treatment. Complications of KOH solution and CO[2] laser were 24% and 19% respectively [P>0.05], but serious adverse events were not observed. The patients under KOH treatment displayed a recurrence rate of 11.1% [7 cases], while the same patients with CO[2] laser therapy demonstrated a recurrence rate of 7.9% [5 cases] [P=0.54]
Conclusion: topical 5% KOH solution was as effective as CO[2] laser in the treatment of female genital warts. There was not any serious complication in the application of KOH solution. This could be used as a new treatment for genital warts