CO2 laser combined with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar warts

Plantar warts are a common clinical condition caused by human papillomavirus infection, and are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of trauma or weakened immune systems. Patients with a long history of the disease may experience pain while walking or standing, and the skin lesions may gradually increase in number and size. Clinical diagnosis is relatively straightforward, Common treatment methods include laser therapy, cryotherapy, surgical excision, and medication. However, high recurrence rates and significant trauma remain challenges in clinical treatment. In this case, the patient had a long history of the disease and had undergone stomach cancer surgery a year prior, with multiple treatments attempted without satisfactory results. We employed carbon dioxide laser therapy in combination with photodynamic therapy, which yielded good results, and there has been no recurrence after six months of follow-up treatment.