Comparison of the therapeutic effects of cryotherapy and carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of genital warts

Introduction Genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus are a common global issue. Various treatments have been employed, but none have proven completely effective. Cryotherapy and carbon dioxide laser are methods used for various skin lesions, including genital warts. While many studies show the efficacy of these treatments for non-genital warts, their role in treating genital warts remains unclear due to insufficient evidence. Objective This study aims to compare the efficacy of cryotherapy and carbon dioxide laser in treating genital warts, focusing on the rate of improvement. Patients and methods This randomized clinical trial included 74 male patients with genital warts, enrolled during the second half of 2019. Thirty-nine patients received carbon dioxide laser treatment, and 35 received cryotherapy. Patients in the laser group were followed up each 2 weeks posttreatment, while those in the cryotherapy group were followed weekly and retreated if necessary. All patients were evaluated 3 months after their last visit for complete recovery and recurrence. Results Out of 74 patients, 60 completed the study, with 14 excluded due to lack of follow-up. The complete recovery rate was similar between the groups with no significant difference ( P =0.887). However, the number of sessions required for complete recovery differed significantly, with fewer sessions needed in the laser group compared to the cryotherapy group ( P <0.001). Conclusion In males, carbon dioxide laser is not superior to cryotherapy for treating genital warts, except for the reduced number of sessions needed in the laser group. Further studies and long-term follow-up are necessary to clarify the roles of these treatments.