Laser Surgery for Warts
Skip to the navigationSurgery 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
Laser surgery may help when other treatments don't work, but it doesn't seem to work better than cryosurgery or electrosurgery.footnote 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 (38°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.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
References
Citations
- Wolff K, Johnson RA (2009). Human papillomavirus infections. In Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, 6th ed., pp. 787-794. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerPatrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerEllen K. Roh, MD - Dermatology
Current as ofOctober 13, 2016
Current as of:
October 13, 2016
Wolff K, Johnson RA (2009). Human papillomavirus infections. In Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, 6th ed., pp. 787-794. New York: McGraw-Hill.