ABSTRACT
Background: Verrucae are benign tumors involving skin and mucous membrane that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Several treatment modalities are available for treating extensive warts, but no single treatment is 100% effective. An ideal treatment should be effective, safe, with less morbidity and provide long-lasting immunity against HPV. This can only be achieved by stimulation of the immune system against the virus. The auto-implantation of warts is one such simple technique where the wart tissue is harvested as a donor and implanted into the uninvolved skin, thereby causing immune stimulation against the virus and resulting in the resolution of extensive and recalcitrant verrucae. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of auto-implantation therapy in the treatment of extensiveand recalcitrant verruca vulgaris. Materials and methods: A hospital-based prospective interventional study was carried out on 50 clinically diagnosed patients of extensive verruca vulgaris. Homologous auto-implantation was done over the uninvolved flexor aspect of the forearm skin after harvesting wart tissue up to the level of the papillary dermis. Patients were assessed monthly and resolution after 3 months was considered as complete clearance. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Out of 50 patients, 41 patients came for regular follow up whereas 9 patients didn’t turn up for the follow-up. Out of 41 verrucavulgaris patients, 34 showed resolution within 3 months, accounting for a total clearance rate of 82.9%.