INTRALESIONAL BLEOMYCIN IN TREATMENT OF PLANTAR WARTS

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of intralesional bleomycin in treating plantar warts.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jan 2015 to Sep 2015.

Material and Methods:

The study was conducted in Dermatology outpatient department, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jan 2015 to Sep 2015. Total of 60 plantar warts in 20 patients were treated with 1 mg/ml intralesional injection of bleomycin. Patients received a total of four doses of bleomycin every three weeks, and were followed for next three months. We categorized the response to treatment as complete or partial resolution, and nonresponsive.

Results:

Out of 60 warts 46 warts (76.66%) showed complete resolution and 8 (13.33%) warts showed partial resolution (p<0.001). The cure rate was better in warts smaller than 20 mm in diameter in comparison with larger lesions. After six months follow-up, 3 (15%) of the completely resolved warts showed recurrence. Recurrence was more among those with greater number of warts.

Conclusion:

Intralesional bleomycin injections were found to be a reliable, safe and acceptable mode of treatment for plantar warts.