Decrease recurrence rate of condylomata acuminata by photodynamic therapy combined with CO2 laser in mainland China: a meta-analysis.

Background: Condylomata acuminata (CA) are caused by human papillomavirus. Most conventional therapies for CA have high recurrence rate.

Objective: To compare the recurrence rate of 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with CO2 laser and CO2 laser alone for CA treatment in mainland China.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, 2,048 cases of CA from 22 articles were divided into two groups. The treatment group was treated by using ALA-PDT combined with CO2 laser, and CO2 laser alone was applied in the control group. The recurrence rate of the two groups was calculated and compared.

Results: The recurrence rate was 42.67% (451/1,057) in the control group and 10.29% (102/991) in the treatment group, with a significant statistical difference between the two groups (χ(2) = 271.98, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: ALA-PDT combined with CO2 laser was more effective in decreasing the recurrence rate of CA compared with CO2 laser alone. It might offer a wide clinical application for CA treatment.