Carbon dioxide laser treatment for condylomata acuminata venereal infections.

Condylomata acuminata virus accounts for a significant number of venereal infections in the western world and constitutes a major public health problem. Unfortunately, conventional therapeutic measures have given inconsistent and largely unsuccessful results for the elimination of genital warts. A 3.5-year experience with 110 women using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for evaporation of viral warts is presented. Six patients (5.5%) developed recurrent lesions and were retreated. Several patients were staged for 2 or 3 treatments because of extensive condylomata; this occurred especially during pregnancy and other altered states of immunity. The principal advantages of CO2 laser therapy are precision, which results in sparing of normal tissue; probable elimination of the infective agent; and rapid healing without scar formation. Sixty-three patients had atypical cytology associated with condylomata acuminata; this finding suggests an association with lower genital tract neoplasia.