title: Comparing thulium laser and Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of genital and urethral condylomata acuminata in male patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date therapies for condylomata acuminata of the male genital are known for high recurrence rates and bothersome side effects, while urethral warts are not always reachable by most traditional therapies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical outcomes in the treatment of condylomata acuminata on the male external genitalia and/or urethra using the Thulium laser and the Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser (Nd:YAG).
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 1994 to January 2013, 76 men with condylomata acuminata on the external genitalia or within the urethra were treated with the Nd:YAG laser and 39 men with the Thulium laser. Primary clearance rate, relapse characteristics and complications were investigated retrospectively and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total of 115 patients, 39 patients (34%) developed recurrences, of which 13 in the Thulium laser group en 26 in the Nd:YAG laser group. Two patients in the Thulium group and four in the Nd:YAG group had minor complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first report of the treatment of condylomata acuminata with the Thulium laser shows that it is a safe and effective treatment for condylomata, both on the external genitalia and in the urethra. The recurrence rate is comparable to the Nd:YAG laser and there have been minimal complications as a result of minimal scarring.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rudy S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Blokker
authors.forename: Tycho M T W
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.forename: Tjeerd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: de Boorder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery; D013932:Thulium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D013932:Thulium
keywords: Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet; Thulium; condylomata acuminata; genital; laser; urethra