Recalcitrant periungual verrucae: the role of carbon dioxide laser vaporization.

Recalcitrant periungual verrucae (24 lesions) in 17 patients were vaporized with the carbon dioxide laser. The lesions had been present for 1 to 15 years and treated an average of nine times previously. Vaporization of these warts, in combination with partial or complete nail avulsion, resulted in complete cures in 71% of patients who had one or two treatments. The cure rate was 94% when the patients who had clearing after one or two laser treatments in combination with other therapies are included. Further follow-up indicates that infection and significant onychodystrophy are uncommon. Pain occurs, but in most cases it is short lived and manageable.