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Surgery for Removing Anogenital Warts: Cryotherapy, Elecrocautery, Surgical Excision, Laser, LEEP

There are multiple types of surgical options available for anogenital warts and you will learn about the 5 best surgical options for anogenital warts.

In this section of the article you will read about surgery for treating anogenital warts using cryotherapy, electrocautey, surgical excision, Laser treatment and LEEP procedure for anogenital warts.

Surgery for Removing Anogenital Warts

Surgery for Treating Anogenital Warts

A surgery may be required to take away larger anogenital warts, that do not react to medications, or else if you are pregnant and your baby might be exposed to these large anogenital warts through delivery. Surgical options comprise of:

  1. Cryotherapy for Treating Anogenital Warts (Freezing Anogenital Warts Using Liquid Nitrogen)

    Cryotherapy treatment wipes out anogenital warts through freezing them by liquid nitrogen.

    • A specialist doctor needs to apply liquid nitrogen on and near the anogenital warts.
    • Initially, the affected tissue is frozen by liquid nitrogen. Next, the tissue gets melted. Following that the tissue can be frozen once more, if required. The apply time depends by the doctor and by the volume of the anogenital warts.
    • Thickness and volume of the anogenital warts decide the length of freeze and the number of occurrences. Maximum up to three medications may be required.
    • You may get a gentle to moderate burning feeling during the medication.
    • Anogenital warts in the anus or urethra normally require several treatments as the anogenital warts might be within the gap.

    Cryotherapy for treating anogenital warts is normally done at your doctor’s clinic. A magnifying tool can be used to witness the abnormal tissue clearer.

    After Treatment Effects of Cryotherapy for Anogenital Warts

    Healing time depends upon the area got treated and the amount of anogenital warts removed. Recovery period usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Following are the after treatment effects:

    • Soreness, mild pain or Irritation may occur.
    • Some get swelling.
    • Sores and blisters may form
    • Dead tissue dropping.

    Precautions for Men and Women after Cryotherapy for Anogenital Warts

    Subsequent to cryotherapy to eliminate external anogenital warts, meet your doctor if you notice any one of the following:

    • Continued bleeding
    • Continued pain
    • A fever
    • Yellowish discharge or Bad-smelling like an infection.

    Avoid sexual contact until the medicated area (anogenital warts) cures and the discomfort is gone.

    Precautions for Women after Cryotherapy for Anogenital Warts

    Following are the important things that you should consider and should be aware after having treatments for anogenital warts:

    • For around 1 – 3 weeks there will be a watery discharge from your vaginal.
    • For around 2 – 3 weeks use sanitary napkins as a substitute of tampons.
    • For around 1 – 3 weeks keep away from sexual contact and use of douching until the medicated area heals.

    Precautions for Men after Crytherapy for Anogenital Warts

    If you get medication for anogenital warts on scrotum, penis, or in urethra you should keep away from sexual contact until the medicated area is cured and the discomfort is gone. Recovery time varies on the volume of the treatment but it is usually from 1 – 3 weeks.

    When to use cryotherapy for Treating Anogenital Warts?

    Cryotherapy will be carried out when anogenital warts are able to be seen, developing at a small area (particularly near the anus), in addition if you are feeling uncomfortable. When anogenital warts are widespread cryotherapy is not applied.

    Efficiency Facts about Cryotherapy for Treating Anogenital Warts

    Cryotherapy is one of the most recommended ways of removing anogenital warts. Statistical records have shown that cryotherapy have removed warts in about 90 cases out of 100. But anogenital warts may develop back therefore more than one therapy may be required.

    The elimination of anogenital warts will not heal HPV (human papillomavirus) disease. The virus might continue within the body in a dormant state even after removing the warts.

    Risks of using Cryotherapy for Treating Anogenital Warts

    Cryotherapy results a few complications. Scarring is a minor risk. Gravity of side effects changes on the frequency of freeze/ thaw rounds used in cryotherapy and in which volume an area was taken care of.

  2. Electrocautery for Treating Anogenital Warts

    To get rid of anogenital warts electrocautery is another efficient treatment method. This method uses electrical current to remove warts. Usually there is a slight swelling and pain after burning the anogenital warts.

    Electrocautery eliminates anogenital warts on the vulva, penis, or near the anus by an electrified probe with low-voltage.

    Electrocautery is normally done at doctor’s clinic. Local anesthetic is normally utilized for pain control. Drugs that cause general anesthetic can be used considering on the amount of anogenital warts which are to be eliminated.

    After Electrocautery Effects for Anogenital Warts

    The recovery period/healing time for anogenital warts differs due to the treated area and the volume of the treatment.

    • You may experience swelling, pain and redness subsequent to a surgery.
    • Within around 2 – 4 weeks you may feel entirely cured from anogenital warts.
    • If a vast area is burned, healing takes time.
    • There will be blemishes.

    Electrocautery eliminates anogenital warts with slight blood loss. It is mostly used for a small section of anogenital warts.

    Efficiency Facts about Electrocautery for Treating Anogenital Warts

    Recent study have been found that electrocautery was effective in 80% of the cases in eliminating anogenital warts and prevent them from appearing back for 6 months following treatments. Re occurring of anogenital warts after electrocautery is less possible than following medicine treatment.

    Even with this therapy viral infection i.e. human papillomavirus (HPV) disease will continue within the body in dormant state where as the anogenital warts have been removed.

    Overcoming Risks of using Electrocautery for Anogenital Warts

    • There is less bleeding as electrocautery seals the vessels of blood once it removes anogenital warts.
    • Antibiotics can be given during the treatment procedure to lessen the possibility of infection.
    • Medicine may be required for a number of days after this electrocautery procedure.

    Even during pregnancy electrocautery can be used to eliminate external anogenital warts.

  3. Surgical Excision for Treating Anogenital Warts

    Surgical excision is a good way to treat anogenital warts. The surgeon may utilize special equipment to eliminate anogenital warts. You will require local/ general anesthesia prior to the surgery, and you might have to bear a little pain after the surgery.

    Noticeable anogenital warts on the vagina or penis or near the anus can be eliminated by excision, which is removing the warts off by a surgical knife called scalpel. Anogenital warts within the cervix can be removed by LEEP which means loop electrosurgical excision or by laser.

    This therapy is usually performed in doctor’s clinic or at outpatient surgery center. Medicines are given to numb the section around the warts (i.e. local anesthetic). Sutures/ Stitches usually seal the incisions.

    Atypical cell changes triggered by HPV are medicated differently than anogenital warts triggered by HPV. The doctor will suggest specific types of surgery like surgical excision.

    Recovery Period/Healing Time for Anogenital Warts after Surgical Excision

    Recovery period/healing time differs from surgery to surgery depends on the area of surgery and amount of warts removed.

    • Within 1 – 3 days most individuals would be able to come back to their normal activities.
    • It will take 2 – 4 weeks of healing for anogenital warts.
    • Blemishing may occur.

    Both male and female patients, who have removed anogenital warts, consult your sergeant if you come across even one of the following signs:

    • Continuous bleeding more than 1 week.
    • Severe pain.
    • Fever.
    • Yellowish discharge with bad-smelling, which may signify an infection.

    Keep away from sexual contact until the medicated area heals and discomfort is gone (typically 1 – 3 weeks, build upon the volume of the area medicated).

    Positive Effects of Surgical Excision for Anogenital Warts

    Surgical excision procedure takes away anogenital warts that restore after other medications. It also perhaps utilized when anogenital warts are spread over a vast area. This treatment is sufficient even to cure a worst case.

    Efficiency Facts about Surgical Excision for Anogenital Warts

    Surgical excision is one of the most effective methods of removing anogenital warts, since the treatment is more powerful than other method of treatments this triggers more hurt than other methods.

    Overcoming Risks of Using Surgical Excision for Anogenital Warts

    • Pain. You need to have pain killers and antibiotic for many days following the procedure for anogenital warts.
    • Bleeding.
    • Infection. You need to have antibiotics during the procedure, to lessen the possibility of infection of anogenital warts.
  4. Laser Treatment for Treating Anogenital Warts

    The laser treatment procedure uses a strong beam of light; this is usually expensive and is normally used for very widespread and anogenital warts which are difficult to remove by other methods. Side effects may include blemishing and pain.

    Laser treatment is commonly used to wipe out anogenital warts. Laser treatments are done in a hospital, doctor’s clinic, or in an outpatient surgery center. Local / general anesthetic need be utilized depending on the amount of anogenital warts to eliminate or the volume of the section to be cured.

    For females, atypical cervical cell defects triggered with HPV will be cured differently than anogenital warts triggered by HPV virus. Doctor may suggest certain categories of surgery, and even laser surgery.

    Recovery Period/Healing Time of Laser Treatment for Anogenital Warts

    Recovery Period/healing time is calculated on the treated area and amount of anogenital warts eliminated. Healing normally completed in 2 – 4 weeks.

    If both male and female who have done laser surgery for anogenital warts, identified even one of the following after surgery effects must immediately consult his/her doctor:

    • Fever.
    • Severe pain.
    • Bleeding which lasts more than 1 week.
    • Yellowish discharge with bad-smelling and which may lead to an infection.

    Keep away from sexual contacts until the treated section heals and the discomfort from anogenital warts is gone (usually takes 1 – 3 weeks, calculate on the volume of the section treated).

    Positive Effects of Laser Treatment for Anogenital Warts

    Doctors recommend laser treatment in situations like:

    • Medicine treatments have failed, anogenital warts removal has not happened properly.
    • Anogenital warts have spread in a vast area.
    • If the patient is pregnant and the doctor has specified when the treatment has to be performed during pregnancy.

    Efficiency Facts about Laser Treatment for Anogenital Warts

    Recent studies have found that laser surgery is normally happening among 20% – 40% out of total number of patients. But in this laser treatment also anogenital warts may come back after surgery. Laser treatment might be recommended for pregnant mothers.

    Risks of Laser Treatments for Anogenital Warts

    Laser treatment for anogenital warts may trigger one or many of the following signs after the therapy:

    • Swelling, itching or pain.
    • Sores in the sections treated.
    • Tissues stick together.
    • Shedding of lifeless tissue.
    • Scarring on the anogenital warts region.
    • Abnormal urination which happens in a broad, spraying stream, due to the treatment performed in the urethra. Blemishing of the penis can result in troubles with erection or urination.
    • Discharge with bad smelling from the penis or vagina.

    Negative Facts about Laser Treatment for Anogenital Warts

    Doctors normally employ laser treatments for anogenital warts if previous treatments have become unsuccessful. Laser treatment to cure anogenital warts is very expensive than lots of other treatment procedures.

    There is a worry that laser surgery may raise the possibility of having anogenital warts come back by obliterating the local immune practice, which permits dormant viruses to turn into active.

    Laser treatment requires specific equipment and training. Some experts consider that the talent of the doctor performing the laser surgery influences surgical success. Patients who are imagining about laser treatment for anogenital warts must ask his doctor what number of times he/ she has performed this process and what his/her success ratio is.

    Anogenital warts which are difficult to cure may be handled by introducing other treatments, like fluorouracil. Anogenital warts can treat by fluorouracil prior to or following laser surgery.

    • If utilized before surgery, fluorouracil lessens the number and size of warts which require laser treatment.
    • If utilized after surgery, fluorouracil can prevent anogenital warts from returning back.

    Main advantage of laser treatment is that neighboring and deep tissues are not injured throughout the laser treatment for anogenital warts.

  5. Leep or Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure for Treating Anogenital Warts

    This procedure (LEEP) utilizes a slim electrified wire loop with low-voltage to take away anogenital warts through heating the border of the section to be eliminated, which takes apart the warts out from the skin.

    This procedure LEEP is carried out in a hospital, doctor’s clinic, or in an outpatient unit. To numb the section a local anesthetic is injected.

    For female patients, abnormal cervical cell damage triggered with HPV virus will be taken care differently than anogenital warts triggered by HPV virus. Your physician may suggest certain categories of surgery, like LEEP (or Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure).

    Effects of LEEP (or Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure) on the Patient with Anogenital Warts

    Surgery to surgery recovery time differs depending on the section and amount of anogenital warts eliminated. Most individuals will be capable to return to usual activities in 1 – 3 days following LEEP procedure.

    For both female and male patients who have done LEEP procedure for anogenital warts, consult your physician if you notice even one of the following:

    • Fever.
    • Severe pain.
    • Yellowish discharge with a bad-smelling which could lead to an infection.
    • Bleeding lasts more than 1 week.

    Keep away from sexual contacts until the medicated area cures and the discomfort from anogenital warts is gone (usually it takes 1 – 3 weeks, based on the volume of the section treated).

    Positive Effects of LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure) for Anogenital Warts

    LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure) is suitable to treat external, large warts and ones on the cervix.

    • LEEP is effective same as other procedures to eliminate anogenital warts, but blemishing may occur. More studies are needed to discover out how effective LEEP works.
    • Through this procedure i.e. LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure), only a less number of ordinary tissue is eliminated at the boundaries of the tissue which comprises anogenital warts.

    Risks of LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure) for Anogenital Warts

    • Bleeding is the major side effect of LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure). But usually LEEP triggers less bleeding than laser treatment for anogenital warts.
    • Blemishing the penis is another prominent side effect which can cause problems with erection or urination.
    • Infection does not take place frequently and can be heal with antibiotics.
    • This procedure i.e. LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical and Excision Procedure) works well with large and external anogenital warts and anogenital warts in the cervix.

References:

  1. American Academy of Dermatology Association – Genital Warts: Diagnosis and Treatment https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/genital-warts-treatment
  2. Mayo Clinic – Genital warts: Treatments and drugs https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355294

Also Read:

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:July 18, 2023

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