Effectiveness of Microneedling and 5-FU in the Treatment of Plantar Warts Plantar warts

Plantar warts continue to be a therapeutic challenge despite the myriad of treatment modalities available. While some warts resolve spontaneously, resistant or recurrent cases can lead to autoinoculation.

Study Overview

This study explores the use of microneedling combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a novel approach to enhance drug absorption and reduce the pain associated with intralesional 5-FU (IL5-FU) injections. Furthermore, it assesses whether microneedling alone could serve as an alternative or adjunct to other wart treatments.

Methodology and Results

The study utilized an electronic dermapen to evaluate the effects of microneedling alone and in combination with 5-FU solution on plantar warts. Findings revealed that complete clearance of warts was achieved in 76.7% of patients receiving IL5-FU, 70% in the microneedling group, and 86.7% in the combination group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between the three groups.

Patient Experience

While IL5-FU is effective, its main drawback is the pain associated with injections. This study confirms that microneedling, with or without 5-FU, offers a less painful alternative. Additionally, the study recorded higher patient satisfaction with microneedling and the combination treatment compared to IL5-FU alone.

Comparative Studies

Previous studies have shown varying success rates with IL5-FU treatments for warts. This study’s outcomes are compared with those findings, underlining the potential benefits of combining microneedling with 5-FU, notably reduced pain and fewer required sessions for complete clearance.

Discussion

Microneedling serves as a beneficial drug delivery method, facilitating higher drug penetration with minimal pain. This study underscores its potential as a standalone treatment or in combination with 5-FU for plantar warts, highlighting its ease, efficiency, and patient acceptability.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The study suggests that both microneedling and 5-FU are effective and safe treatments for plantar warts. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the combination of microneedling and 5-FU application resulted in the highest clearance rates, fewest sessions, and was significantly less painful. Future research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is recommended to further validate these findings.