Background

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) involves the formation of laryngeal papillomata, requiring frequent surgical excision. They are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes -6 and -11, so the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil®) has been proposed and studied as an adjuvant therapy to prevent additional papilloma formation. 

Objectives

To determine the effects of HPV vaccination on the number of surgical procedures and inter-surgical interval of RRP.

Methods

Clinical histories of six adult patients were examined for extent of disease, previous surgical modalities and timing of HPV vaccination. 

Results

At a follow-up period range of 1-37 months, 4 patients had no further surgical procedures post-Gardasil® and 2 patients had increased inter-surgical intervals post-Gardasil®.

Conclusion 

Our results tentatively show a reduced frequency of surgical procedures in the vaccinated individuals. Larger, prospective, controlled studies are necessary over longer time periods to draw more significant conclusions.

BACO International 2018