A comparative study of liquid nitrogen versus potassium hydroxide in the treatment of common viral warts
Abstract
Liquid nitrogen (LN) versus potassium hydroxide (KOH) for the treatment of common viral warts
Introduction: In Sri Lanka, cryotherapy with LN is a first-line treatment for common viral warts but is not widely available. Pain is a significant side effect.
Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of KOH versus cryotherapy with LN.
Methodology: Consecutive patients with new warts randomly allocated to three groups: cryotherapy with LN, 5% KOH, 10% KOH. Response and side effects of three groups were compared at 8 weeks.
Results: No significant difference between LN and 5% KOH (p=0.298) and 10% KOH (p=0.147). 10% KOH is significantly better than 5% KOH (p=0.014). Pain experienced by 176 and of them 88 treated with N2, 62 with 10% KOH and 18 with 5% KOH.
Conclusion: Both LN and KOH are equally effective for common viral warts. However, 10% KOH is more effective than 5% KOH though more irritant side effects are encountered with 10% KOH.
Introduction: In Sri Lanka, cryotherapy with LN is a first-line treatment for common viral warts but is not widely available. Pain is a significant side effect.
Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of KOH versus cryotherapy with LN.
Methodology: Consecutive patients with new warts randomly allocated to three groups: cryotherapy with LN, 5% KOH, 10% KOH. Response and side effects of three groups were compared at 8 weeks.
Results: No significant difference between LN and 5% KOH (p=0.298) and 10% KOH (p=0.147). 10% KOH is significantly better than 5% KOH (p=0.014). Pain experienced by 176 and of them 88 treated with N2, 62 with 10% KOH and 18 with 5% KOH.
Conclusion: Both LN and KOH are equally effective for common viral warts. However, 10% KOH is more effective than 5% KOH though more irritant side effects are encountered with 10% KOH.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljd.v14i1.186 | Journal eISSN: 1391-2771
Language: English
Page range: 9 - 11
Published on: Dec 1, 2010
Published by: Sri Lanka College of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
© 2010 N N T M Wickramasinghe, G P Karunasekera, published by Sri Lanka College of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License.