Warts

What do I need to know about this procedure?

This procedure is where burn areas of tissue are removed and may be replaced with a skin graft/s taken from other areas of the body or from other donors.

Anaesthetic

This procedure will require an anaesthetic.

What are the risks of this specific procedure?

There are risks and complications with this procedure.
They include but are not limited to the following:

General risks:

• Infection can occur, requiring antibiotics and further treatment.
• Bleeding could occur and may require a return to the operating room. Bleeding is more common if you have been taking blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin, Asprin, Clopidogrel (Plavix or Iscover) or Dipyridamole (Persantin or Asasantin).
• Small areas of the lung can collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection. This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy.
• Increased risk in obese people of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications, and thrombosis.
• Heart attack or stroke could occur due to the strain on the heart.
• Blood clot in the leg (DVT) causing pain and swelling. In rare cases, part of the clot may break off and go to the lungs.
• Death as a result of this procedure is possible.

Specific risks:

• The area where the wart was is usually not closed and it will take time to heal.
• The area of the wart may be thickened and there may be some discoloring and pain in the scar. This may be permanent.
• The warts may come back. Warts may be due to a virus infection which may cause further warts.