Surgical treatment of genital warts
Treatment of genital warts through surgery
Know what surgery options are available to treat genital warts and when you should consider a surgery as a treatment method.
Genital warts are mainly caused due to HPV which like any other STDs is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. HPV is a type of virus that can even cause cervical cancer in some individuals. Treatment of genital warts can be done in several different ways, although treating genital warts would not eliminate the presence of the HPV virus from the body, HPV itself is not curable.
Genital warts can be treated through prescription medicines, surgical removal, and laser treatment or through freezing. In most cases no treatment would be required since the warts generally disappear themselves in due course. The most common type of treatment method is through prescription topical medicines that might be used as prescribed by the doctor. Surgical treatment of genital warts should only be considered under the following cases:
• When the warts do not disappear even after waiting or if prescription medicines fail to treat the warts.
• In cases where the genital warts are painful and bothersome.
• When the warts are causing other physical damage like blockage of anal canal or urethra.
There are several pros and cons of surgical removal of genital warts and these points should be discussed at length with the doctor and considered before opting for surgery. A surgery might prove to be costly and might leave behind scars. Some of the most common types of surgery methods used for treatment of genital warts are as listed below:
• Cryosurgery- cryosurgery is most commonly known as freezing method since it destroys the genital warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This type of treatment method is used when the warts are visible and are bothersome and are concentrated in a small area especially near the anus. This type of treatment is usually done at a doctor’s clinic and requires at least 3 sittings in order to fully cure the warts.
• Electrocautery- this type of treatment method destroys the warts by using an electric probe of a low voltage. This treatment is mostly used in cases where the warts have appeared on the penis, vulva and anus area in small numbers. This treatment is known to have a success ratio of more than 80%. The treatment might cause some pain, swelling and discomfort in the affected area and the individual might take two to four weeks to fully recover.
• Surgical excision- surgical excision involves the removal of genital warts with the help of a surgical scalpel or knife. This type of surgery is mostly used in cases where the genital warts are visible. Local anesthesia is used and the genital warts treatment usually takes place at an outpatient treatment location. The incisions are generally closed up with stitches after the surgery is completed. Healing would normally take two to four weeks’ time.
• Laser surgery- in a laser surgery the warts are destroyed with the help of strong laser rays. This method is used when the warts are widespread. The treatment usually takes place at a doctor’s clinic and the individual might take as many as six weeks to fully recover after the surgery.