Anal Warts (laser treatment)

Anal warts are a sexually transmitted infection that is a typical presentation of the Human Papilloma Viral infection (HPV). They normally burst out mainly during an immunocompromised state or even with a normally functioning immune system after trauma to the skin. They are often benign neoplasms but the cosmetic reasons often have people seeking to find ways to remove them. One of the easiest ways to prevent a wart manifestation is through vaccination with the HPV vaccines that come in the form of Gardasil or Cervarix at a young age is preferable. If one sexual partner comes in for warts treatment, it is advisable that the other sexual partner of the patient also come in for treatment ( excision of warts and investigations of further comorbidities such as cervical cancer).

The laser is one of the many treatment modalities of warts, which involves the destruction of the warts through the use of a laser beam.

1. Indications

Anal warts are often displeasing to sight and a patient’s preference to have them removed for cosmetic reasons is an indication for the laser treatment for these warts.Bleeding from the friction of warts during defecation or anal intercourse might warrant laser excision of them. Before pregnancy, the mother is advised to get the warts treated as they can get passed to the baby during delivery through skin contact. If all forms of medication have failed in the treatment of warts such as cryotherapy, laser treatment could be employed.

2. How is the procedure done

The doctor assesses the fitness of the patient for the laser surgery
Consent is taken after the doctor explains the benefits and the risks of the procedure
Depending on the extent of the warts, the doctor might prefer to use general or local anesthesia to minimize the pain during the procedure.

A laser beam is passed on the warts and causes their destruction.

3. Risks

Because of the nature of the laser treatment, scarring of the surrounding tissues may occur. If the laser treatment extended to the penis, then the scarring might result in medical conditions such as Peyronie’s disease in which the patient will have problems with erections. If anesthesia is not used for the procedure, the pain might result.Infections of the affected area might result if the patient doesn’t adhere to the instructions of the doctor such as no intercourse until the wound is properly healed. In some patients, the sounding skin after the procedure loses its color- becomes hypopigmented. The laser treatment in itself cases local lowering of the immune system thus promoting the flourishing of the warts at a later date.

4. How you prepare for the surgery

The patient should have gotten adequate antibiotic cover before the surgical procedure to avoid the risk infections.The patient’s immunity needs to be high before the procedure or else the warts will spring up again shortly after.The doctor will assess if the patient is fit for the procedure, more so if they are fit for the anesthesia. As of any surgical procedure that you’ll be required to be under general anesthesia, the patient is required to fast for about 8-12 hours to avoid complications of the anesthesia.An intravenous line is required to feed the required drugs into the body system of the patient.If the patient has undergone other methods of trying to treat the warts, they should get prepared for a higher cost in the laser treatment of the same warts if paid out of pocket. Patients should plan their assistance post-surgery. It could involve someone who is to take after their chores at home and the means of transport to get home after discharge from the hospital.

5. Recovery after surgery

Healing after the laser treatment takes about a month but it depends on factors such as the immune status of the patient and the extent of the warts before the laser treatment. Patients should be advised to avoid intercourse until the area is completely healed lest it will predispose them to infections or tears. Patient’s immunity is boosted through proper diet and if implicated, starting treatment of the underlying disease such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes which causes immune suppression thus the flourishing of the warts. The female patient needs to get a pap smear done to check if there are any cancerous lesions in her cervix so that she can start treatment early.

6. Outcomes after surgery

The laser treatment is quite an effective one with about 30% usage in warts patients. In addition to that, it can be used during pregnancy. The only drawback of this procedure is that the warts tend to recur after the procedure; therefore, the immunity of the patient needs to be constantly strengthened. Safe sex practices should be advocated at this point.

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