Keywords: Cryotherapy, Plantar warts, Topical adapalene

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of topical Adapalene gel 0.1% under occlusion with cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Jan 2017 to Jun 2017.

Methodology: A total of 96 patients were selected from Dermatology outpatient department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Patients were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: group A and group B by lottery method. Patients in group A were treated with cryotherapy for two freeze thaw cycles using liquid nitrogen at -196°C temperature through direct application by a dipstick with cotton tip while group B were treated with topical adapalene 0.1% gel applied daily under occlusion using plastic wrap polythene sheet. Cryotherapy was repeated on fortnightly follow-up. The primary outcome measured was the proportion of participants whose warts completely cleared at 8 weeks after start of therapy.

Results: Twenty seven patients (72.97%) in group-A and 28 (75.68%) patients in group-B achieved clearance of warts after 8 weeks of therapy. A p-value of 0.791 revealed no significant difference in outcome for both treatment groups.

Conclusion: Cryotherapy and topical 0.1% Adapalene under occlusion for the treatment of plantar warts are equally effective.