Why is this procedure done?
Anal warts are a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). They are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts are soft, moist, and yellowish or skin colored. They are growths or bumps that form inside or around the anus. They may look like a skin tag, a group of bumps, or a small mass that looks like cauliflower. You can get the infection during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected sex partner. There are often no signs of illness. The warts may bleed, itch, or burn when rubbed or irritated. You will still have the virus, even after the warts are removed. ‚
There are many ways to treat anal warts. Your doctor may give you drugs to take or to spread on the skin. Other times, the wart is treated with laser treatment or freezing. Sometimes, surgery is done: ‚
- To remove anal warts, especially if you have very large warts
- If the warts could become a cancer
- If you do not respond well to other treatments
What will the results be?
Your doctor will remove the warts completely. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- If you need to clean out your bowels using a laxative or enema.
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- Sometimes, the doctor will give you a special drug to make you numb for the surgery. Other times, you are completely asleep.
- There are different ways a doctor may remove the warts. Talk to your doctor about the best way to remove your warts. Your doctor may use a:
- Small tube with a tip on it. This is put in the anus. Then, a special ice-cold liquid is put into the tube and the tip freezes the warts. This is cryosurgery.
- Special tool with electricity. The warts will be burned away. This is electrosurgery.
- Special scissors or a knife to make cuts or shave off the warts.
- Laser light. This gives off heat and destroys the warts. This is laser surgery.
- Ultrasound to break down and remove warts
What happens after the procedure?
You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You can go home the same day. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Keep your rectal area clean. Remove the dressing before having a bowel movement.
- Take a sitz bath. Sit in 2 to 3 inches of warm water in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Do this 3 to 4 times a day. Carefully wipe your bottom afterwards.
- Your anus may still bleed or have a yellow discharge or fluid for a week or more after surgery. Use sanitary pads to absorb the fluid and change the pad if it gets soaked. The bleeding or discharge may increase after having a bowel movement.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Talk to your doctor about how to prevent hard stools. Eat a diet high in fiber. Good foods to eat are fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor will want to check that all the warts are gone and there are no new warts.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Avoid sitting or standing for more than 1 hour at a time until you are healed.
- Put a pillow under your bottom when you sit to be more comfortable.
- The only sure way to keep from getting or passing on a sexually-transmitted infection is to not have sexual contact with anyone. This infection may be spread even if you do not have any signs of illness.
- Avoid contact with any sex partner known to have the infection.
- Practice safe sex. Use condoms even if your partner does not show any signs of HPV.
- Do not have any vaginal, anal, or oral sex until the warts are fully gone. This can help avoid giving the warts to others. Warts can be present without having any signs.
- Avoid multiple sex partners. Be with a long-term monogamous partner who has been tested and is known to have no infection.
- Up until age 26, you can get an HPV shot to avoid getting HPV, which causes the warts.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Burns
- Warts may come again after being gone
- If left untreated, certain types of HPV may lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, rectum, and other areas.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Large amounts of bleeding from the anus
- Pain that is not relieved with drugs
- Problems passing stool or you cannot control your stool
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons ‚
http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/anal_warts/ ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚