Laser Surgery for Warts
Surgery Overview
Laser surgery uses an intense beam of light,
or laser, to burn and destroy the wart tissue. It is usually done in a doctor's
office or clinic.
Local or general anesthetic may be used, depending on
the number of
warts to be removed or the size of the area to be
treated.
What To Expect After Surgery
The wound will be painful for a few
days after laser surgery. Recovery time depends on the location and number of
warts removed.
After laser surgery, call your doctor if you
have:
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 1
week.
- A fever.
- Severe pain.
- Bad-smelling or
yellowish discharge, which may mean an infection. Cleaning the wound area
helps prevent infection.
Why It Is Done
Laser surgery may be considered
when:
- Medicine has failed, and it is necessary to
remove the warts.
- Warts are large or widespread.
- Warts
need to be treated during pregnancy. Your doctor will recommend when treatment
should be done during pregnancy.
How Well It Works
Pulsed dye laser works about the
same for wart removal as cryotherapy and cantharidin.1
Risks
There is a slight risk of infection associated
with laser surgery. Signs of infection include:
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness,
or heat.
- Red streaks extending from the area.
- Discharge
of pus.
- Fever of
100°F (37.8°C) or higher with
no other cause.
What To Think About
Laser surgery:
- Normally causes no
scarring.
- Requires
local anesthetic.
- Is more expensive than
most other methods of wart removal.
- Is not recommended as an
initial treatment.
- Is usually used for large, hard-to-cure
warts.
There are concerns that laser treatment may increase the
risk of having warts return by destroying the local immune system, allowing
inactive viruses to become active.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
References
Citations
-
Loo SK, Tang WY (2009). Warts (non-genital), search
date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
|
Last Revised
|
September 2, 2010 |
Last Revised:
September 2, 2010
Loo SK, Tang WY (2009). Warts (non-genital), search
date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
