Comparison of podophyllin and trichloroacetic acid for the treatment of genital warts

Abstract

One hundred patients with genital warts of different morphological types were randomly allocated to a therapeutic trial with 25o/, podophyllin in the tincture of benzoin or 50 trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Ninety five patients were followed up for three months. The warts cleared in 78% and 81% patients after treatment with podophyllin and TCA respectively within 3 months. There was no significant difference in the number of applications needed with each type of treatment. Patients with hyperplastic lesions required lesser number of applications (average 3.5) compared to those with flat or verruca vulgaris type of lesions (average 4.5). Young condylomata (less than 6 months duration) responded better than older lesions. Moist lesions on the glans penis and labia responded better than the dry and keratotic lesions. Local soreness was experienced in 8.5y. cases as a side effect of therapy. Recurrence after initial clearance was seen more commonly with podophyllin application (30% than with trichloroacetic acid (13%).