Laser surgery for warts

	Surgery Overview
	What To Expect After Surgery
	Why It Is Done
	How Well It Works
	Risks
	What To Think About
	References
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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.

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.

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.

Pulsed dye laser works about the same for wart removal as cryotherapy and cantharidin.¹

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 (37.78°C) or higher with no other cause.

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.

Citations

1. 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.