Comparison of 585 nm with 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the treatment of warts

Background and aim : The clinical management of verrucae vulgaris is often challenging and no treatment is always effective. Early studies have suggested that pulsed-dye laser (PDL) may be highly effective in the treatment of verrucae through obliteration of dilated vessels in papillary dermis. The objective of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of 585 nm with 595 nm PDL in the treatment of warts.Materials and methods: The randomized controlled trial was done on forty patients with warts referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran. Almost symmetrically distributed warts were randomized to receive PDL 585 nm or 595 nm on their left or right side and a similar lesion with respect to size, thickness and location was not treated as control. Each patient was treated in three sessions at three- week intervals. Warts were individually examined at the time of each treatment session and their size and adverse effects of treatment recorded. Complete response was defined as complete disappearance of lesions.Results: Thirty-six patients completed the trial. The mean size of the lesions before the treatment were 19.7±13.2 mm2 in PDL 585 nm group and 21.7±15.4 mm2 in PDL 595 nm group. After the last treatment the mean reduction in size of warts were 18.1±12.3 mm2 and 18.1±11.2 mm2 and the lesions cleared in 27 (75%) and 25 (69%) patients in PDL 585 nm and PDL595 nm groups, respectively (P value =0.83). Variable degrees of purpura and pain were observed in all patients which was classified as severe in 15 and 16 cases in PDL 585 nm group and 19 and 18 cases in PDL 595 nm group, respectively (P=0.8).Conclusion: The PDL is an effective treatment for verrucae vulgaris and there are no statistically significant differences between 585 nm and 595 nm with respect of their efficacy and adverse effects.