RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Carbon Dioxide Laser vs. Electrocoagulation for the Therapy of Condyloma

This research is looking at how well two different surgical treatments work for genital warts (known as condyloma acuminata) in women. The two treatments being compared are carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy and a method called electrocoagulation. Doctors want to see which one leaves the skin looking better after treatment, how long each procedure takes, any side effects or complications, how happy patients and doctors are with the results, how much pain there is afterwards, and whether the warts come back. The main goal is to find out which treatment gives patients the best cosmetic outcome.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Zydolab - Institute of Cytology and Immune Cytochemistry

Enrolment target

114

Start

01 Dec 2016

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Condylomata Acuminata

What is this study about?

If you have genital warts, your doctor might talk to you about different ways to treat them. This study is exploring two common surgical methods to treat these warts: CO2 laser treatment and electrocoagulation. CO2 laser uses a focused light beam to remove the warts, while electrocoagulation uses heat from an electrical current to remove them.

The main aim of this study is to compare these two treatments to see which one works better for patients. Doctors are particularly interested in how the treated area looks after the warts are removed. They will ask patients to rate how happy they are with the cosmetic result six weeks after treatment. But they're also looking at other important things like how long the treatment takes, if there are any problems during or after the procedure, how satisfied both patients and the medical team are, how much pain patients experience, and if the warts return over time.

By comparing these two methods carefully, researchers hope to understand which one is more effective and provides a better experience for women with genital warts. This information can then help doctors make clearer recommendations about the best treatment options in the future.

Key takeaways

Compares two surgical treatments for genital warts.
Main goal: find out which treatment gives the best cosmetic result.
Also looking at treatment time, pain, and recurrence.
Open to women aged 18 and older.
Participation involves one of two treatments and a follow-up assessment.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you must be a woman aged 18 or older who has genital warts. You will also need to be able to understand the study well enough to give your permission to take part.

There are some situations where you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, don't want to participate, or if you have certain health conditions like HIV or certain types of cancer. You also can't take part if you are taking blood thinners, medicines that affect your immune system, or if you have a condition that makes it hard for wounds to heal.

Finally, if you've had other local treatments for your warts in the last 8 weeks, or if there's a significant language barrier making it difficult to understand the study information, you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman aged 18 or older?
Do you have genital warts?
Are you able to understand the study details and give permission?
Are you not pregnant?
Are you not currently taking blood thinners or medicines that affect your immune system?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be randomly assigned to receive either CO2 laser treatment or electrocoagulation for your genital warts. This means a computer will decide which treatment you get, like flipping a coin. You won't get to choose which one.

After your treatment, you'll be asked to rate how the treated area looks after six weeks using a simple rating scale. Researchers will also keep track of things like how long your procedure takes, any pain you might feel, and if the warts come back. You won't need to take any specific medication for the trial itself, beyond your standard care. The total duration of your active participation, especially for the main assessment, will be around six weeks after your treatment.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of receiving established treatments for genital warts and contributing valuable information that could help others in the future. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, such as pain, scarring, or the warts returning, regardless of which treatment you receive. All efforts will be made to minimise these risks. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Ruhr University Bochum
Verified postcode
Herne, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What are 'condyloma acuminata'?

Condyloma acuminata is the medical term for genital warts.

What is CO2 laser ablation?

CO2 laser ablation uses a special laser beam to carefully remove the warts.

What is electrocoagulation?

Electrocoagulation uses heat from an electrical current to remove and seal off the warts.

How will I know which treatment I get?

You'll be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments, like drawing lots. You won't choose which one.

What is a 'visual analogue scale'?

This is a simple rating scale, usually a line, where you mark how you feel about something, such as how happy you are with the way an area looks after treatment.

How to find out more

Ziad Hilal, Dr. med.

z.hilal@zydolab.de +49231529747 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.