Wart removal is a popular procedure in modern clinics.Its essence is to extract pathological cells from healthy tissue.The methods of removing warts are diverse and the choice depends on several factors: the size of the tumor, its location, the number of growths and the personal preferences of the doctor and the patient.
Today the most popular wart removal methods are:
- Laser;
- radio wave;
- liquid nitrogen removal;
- electrocoagulation;
- Traditional surgery.
The use of one or another method of wart removal (cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, laser exposure, surgical removal) depends on the size of the wart and the patient's personal preferences.
All methods except surgical do not require special preparation.Blood tests for clotting, infections, etc. are only necessary before removing the wart with a scalpel.
Laser removal of warts
Laser removal is the most popular method for removing skin tumors.Its advantage is speed, absence of scars and minimal risk of infections and other complications.The method is suitable for removing small warts, but is also used for large tumors.For example, it is difficult to do without a laser if you need to remove a wart on the face or other open part of the body.Healthy tissue is not affected by laser destruction of warts.No incisions are made in the skin and the method is completely non-contact.
The laser beam gently cauterizes the blood vessels surrounding the wart.Bacteria are killed during the procedure.Recovery takes no more than a week.Swelling, bleeding, infections and other complications are excluded.If necessary, the warts remaining after tissue removal can be sent for histology, as they are not completely destroyed.
The procedure is simple and anesthesia can be used.The patient is placed on a couch and the laser device is aimed at the wart.A beam is then fired, which vaporizes part of the tumor tissue in a fraction of a second.After a few seconds of this action, the procedure is over, but if the wart is very large, it will have to be removed in several steps.This is the main disadvantage: if a procedure is required, the patient spends a lot of personal time and pays for several sessions.
Removal of warts using the radio wave method
This is the gentlest technique and is also best suited for small warts.Radiofrequency waves allow the removal of pathological tissues by literal vaporization, making this method similar to laser destruction.The imprint left on the skin is practically invisible, so radio waves can also be used on the face.
In addition, the advantages of this method include:
- Painless;
- Quick recovery;
- Minimal complications and side effects;
- elimination of bacteria during the procedure;
- No complex care required;
- Possibility of histological analysis.
The disadvantage is that radio wave surgery is not suitable for particularly large warts.
Remove warts with liquid nitrogen
Cryodestruction is a contact method for removing warts.Its advantages are low price, speed of the procedure and good results.The method is suitable for removal from any area of the body, but is rarely used when working on the face - small spots are possible.The disadvantage: Sometimes pain occurs during and after the procedure.
The liquid nitrogen removal process is simple.The patient is placed or seated on a couch in the operating room and the exposure site is treated with an antiseptic.The doctor dips a cotton swab or a special instrument in liquid nitrogen.Its temperature is below −195.75 °C.The doctor then moves the stick to the wart and touches it.Tissues freeze quickly and collapse – cells burst due to the expansion of the frozen water.Any remaining tissue is removed and the wound is treated.
Electrocoagulation of warts
This method is also suitable for most areas of the body, including the face.Before the operation, local anesthesia and antiseptic treatment of the skin is required.Removal is carried out using an electrocoagulator - a special device that heats tissue using high-frequency electric current.The device's loop contacts the tumor and gently cuts it away while simultaneously cauterizing the surrounding blood vessels and destroying bacteria.Loop temperature 800°C.After exposure, a thin crust forms that falls off within a few days, leaving a small pink spot.
The advantages of the procedure are the short time required, the ability to remove several warts in one session (if they are close to each other) and the removal of large warts.Bleeding and infections are excluded during and after the operation.When small warts are removed, no traces are left behind.
The disadvantage is that it cannot be used against plantar warts.They are very rough and located in a too dense layer of skin.In such situations, more intensive influence options are used.
Surgical removal of warts
Today, this is the most effective method of wart removal, as it removes all pathological tissue.However, it is only used in extreme cases when the warts are very large or keep recurring.
5 operating levels:
- treating the area with an antiseptic solution;
- Careful incisions with a scalpel around the tumor;
- Removing his body with tweezers from the surrounding healthy tissue;
- treatment of the surgical wound;
- Applying sutures and bandages.
The rare use of this method is due to the scars that remain after stitching.In addition, extensive postoperative wounds continue to be at risk of infection, inflammation, swelling, and bleeding.However, for large, old warts, this is the only way to get rid of them.If urgently necessary, surgical removal can also be carried out on the face.
A dermatologist and surgeon will help you choose a method for wart removal in a preliminary consultation.The most common choice is:
- For small warts on the face and other parts of the body - laser, electrocoagulation, cryodestruction, radio wave removal;
- For particularly large warts on the face and body, plantar warts – surgical, laser, radio wave;
- For multiples not on the sole - laser;radio wave, liquid nitrogen removal;
- For small plantars - laser.
Sometimes the choice depends on the general health of the patient, age and even the type of activity (in some professions, the presence of scars on the face or neck is unacceptable).In the latter case, only complex laser removal is possible.In other situations, an individual approach is used.