Benefits of the CO2 laser for verruca resistant to other modalities of treatment.

The benefits of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in the treatment of verruca resistant to other forms of treatment have been studied. Twenty-five patients with warts unsuccessfully treated from one to five times previously were treated with the laser, followed for a minimum of 6 months, and evaluated. Eight of these patients (32%) gained a total permanent cure. An additional five treatments resulted in a subtotal (over 75%) cure but some warts remained. Thus, 13 of 25 patients (52%) experienced complete or partially successful treatment. The CO2 laser is a valuable modality in the treatment of recalcitrant warts but cannot be expected to cure all such warts.