A Comparative study on the efficacy of 20% Podophyllin versus 100% Trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of anogenital warts

Wart is a viral infection caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). It can affect both the skin and the mucosa. Anogenital warts refer to the infection of anal and genital mucosa and their adjacent areas. It is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. The lesions appear after the incubation period of 1to 8 months (average 3 months). Anogenital warts may be single or multiple. In men, genital warts most commonly occur on the inner lining of prepuce, frenulum, glans, coronal sulcus, urinary meatus, penile shaft and scrotum. In women, common sites involved are posterior part of introitus, labia, perineum and perianal area, also can involve vagina and cervix. The common presentation is a verrucous papules or pedunculated lesions that may coalesce to form verrucous plaques or cauliflower like growth. Generally the lesions are pink and painless. Depending upon the clinical appearance, warts can be classified as condylomata acuminata, papular wart, keratotic wart and flat topped papular wart. There are various treatment options for anogenital warts such as Podophyllin, Podophyllotoxin, Monochloroacetic acid and Trichloroacetic acid, Cryotherapy,5- Fluorouracil, Imiquimod, Surgical excision, Laser and interferon therapy. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of 20% podophyllin and 100% trichloroacetic acid.