The efficacy of DemoJet infiltration using normal saline versus bleomycin in the treatment of recalcitrant wart: A comparative therapeutic study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i2.3311Keywords:
Recalcitrant wart, Bleomycin, DemoJet, Periungual wartAbstract
Background Warts are one of the most common benign tumours caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and treating them is still difficult, especially when the lesions don't respond to treatment. There are now a number of intralesional therapies available. For example, needle-free high-pressure jet injection systems (DemoJet) offer a new way to deliver drugs intradermally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly. Intralesional bleomycin has previously shown significant efficacy, particularly in resistant periungual and palmoplantar warts.
Objective To compare the efficacy of DemoJet infiltration utilizing bleomycin versus normal saline in the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts.
Methods An interventional comparative study involving 40 patients with 173 clinically diagnosed viral warts. Patients were allocated into two groups: Group A (20 patients, 102 warts) treated with 1-2 ml of bleomycin solution via DemoJet, and Group B (20 patients, 71 warts) treated with normal saline using the same technique. Sessions were repeated every two weeks for up to 12 weeks or until complete resolution. Assessment included the number and size of warts, pain intensity (visual analogue scale), and patient satisfaction at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks.
Results Group A demonstrated a significantly lower mean number of sessions to achieve cure, fewer residual warts, and greater reduction in lesion size compared to Group B. However, pain scores were higher in the bleomycin group.
Conclusion Bleomycin delivered through DemoJet provides a more active management choice for persistent warts than normal saline, despite sharp pain levels.
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