Laser versus electrical cautery in the treatment of condylomata acuminata of the anus.

Thirty-eight patients with condylomata acuminata of the anus, requiring surgical therapy, had the left half of the anus treated with conventional electrical cautery, while the right half of the anus was treated with the carbon dioxide laser at the same time. Patients were questioned about the amount of pain on both sides and were studied for evidence of recurrence. The laser was associated with either more pain or the same amount of pain when compared with that of electrical cautery. Recurrences were first seen more often on the laser side. The cost of the laser treatment to the patient was higher by $50. it is concluded that the laser offers no advantage and may, indeed, be less effective than the conventional electrical cautery in the treatment of condylomata acuminata of the anus.