Wart Curettage
What is Wart Curettage surgery?
Wart curettage surgery is a procedure that aims to deal with a wart/growth that usually occurs on the plantar aspect of the foot. The procedure involves utilising local anaesthetic and excising the wart tissue from the foot using sterile instruments. The wart is ‘scooped’ out and there is no need to cut and suture the skin afterwards.
The surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia in the consulting rooms and allows for immediate weight-bearing. However in some instances (needle phobia, past traumatic experience from other practitioners) the procedure can be done under a sedation or a general anaesthetic.
What is the recovery after Wart Curettage surgery?
Recovery from wart curettage surgery is normally quick. The foot is generally numb with local anaesthetic for 4-6 hours and simple painkillers such as paracetamol and is taken for the first week or two. A large dressing is applied after the procedure as they can tend to bleed afterwards so it is best to go home rest and elevate. Strong painkillers if required are only generally needed in the first week after surgery. Dressings and bandages must stay intact and dry until your 1 week review where your wounds are checked for healing.
What are some of the risk and complications of Wart Curettage surgery?
During the preoperative consultations, Dr Abdel Kak will answer all your questions and discuss the potential risk and complications associated with wart curettage surgery. Although they are usually rare, some of risks and complications include;
- Wound infection – with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of getting an infection. This occurs in less then 1% of patients and the surgeon will give you antibiotics to treat or help prevent an infection from occurring
- Scar formation – this is rare but a painful scar might develop, however as the deeper layer of the skins are not breached this should not occur
- Bleeding
- Wart lesion may return
- Larger more numerous warts may mean the skin may take longer to heal
- General risks and complications from any foot surgery which can include; continuous pain, deep vein thrombosis and a possibility of reacting to the anaesthesia (general and local)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Dr Abdel Kak will perform a local anaesthetic injection and ensure the area is completely numb prior to any procedure. This type of procedure is routinely performed in his office and the patient is able to walk home soon after it is finished.
Yes – in some instances patients will choose to have a procedure done under sedation or general anaesthesia. This may be due to previous bad experiences from other practitioners, needle phobia or the large quantity of the wart lesions requiring it to be performed in a hospital setting. Wart curettage surgery is performed as a day procedure and you are able to go home the same day.
Following the completion of your procedure, the foot will be dressed and Dr Abdel Kak will go through the postoperative instructions with you. Typically there will be a large dressing as the area can bleed afterwards. The area will be numb and driving is no recommended, a lift home is advised.
In most instances, the patient can expect very little pain following the procedure. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol is taken for a few days after the surgery. The local anaesthetic injection will make the toe numb for 4-6 hours after the procedure.
It is important you rest and avoid any prolonged weight bearing to avoid swelling, bleeding and pain in the area. It is advised you rest until your follow up appointment. Additionally the rest will ensure the skin heals and avoids the risk of scar formation occuring
The foot is usually bandaged and you can weight bear/walk in a post-operative sandal.
Yes you can have multiple warts on both feet operated on at the same time. Although your mobility will be reduced, the recovery for both will be the same. The surgeon will review your circumstances and advise if this is best for you and whether it can be performed in the office or under sedation in the hospital.
Patients typically return 3-5 days following the wart curettage procedure to have the dressing removed. You will be given post-operative instructions to follow over the 2 weeks to follow.
- 1 week
- The compression bandage is changed and the wound is reviewed.
- 2 weeks
- The bandage is removed and a light dressing is now applied. You will be able to go into a wide fitting jogger in which a deflection padding will be added to reduce the amont of pressure on the surgical area.
- 4 weeks
- You will no longer need any dressings and can return to most physical activities.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Individual circumstance can differ, please contact Dr Abdel Kak’s rooms to discuss if surgery is appropriate for you.