Laser surgery for warts
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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 indicate 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
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
Luk NM, Tan YM (2007). Warts (non-genital), search date November 2006. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Credits
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Last Updated | September 11, 2008 |
| Last updated: | September 11, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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