Effectiveness of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of recalcitrant warts in children.

Background: To determine the efficacy and safety of the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of recalcitrant warts in children.

Methods And Material: Retrospective survey of the medical records of children with recalcitrant warts who were treated with PDL between March 1995 through January 1999 at the Children's Memorial Hospital outpatient subspecialty center, Chicago, Illinois.

Results: Sixty-one children with recalcitrant warts were treated with PDL; 75% of them had total clearance of warts after an average of 3.1 treatment sessions. Overall success rates were 100% for both perineal and perianal and face-only warts, 93% for hands, 69% for plantar warts, 67% when both face and extremities were involved, and 60% when multiple extremities were involved. Pain and other side effects were minimal. Mild scarring occurred in 2% of patients; 75% of patients remained free of warts after a follow-up period of 24 months or longer.

Conclusion: PDL therapy is an effective, safe alternative therapy for treatment of recalcitrant warts in children, with few side effects and a low long-term recurrence rate.