Surgical Excision of Plantar Warts

The benefits of this procedure include:

• It’s a simple surgical procedure performed in-clinic
• Only one appointment and procedure is required, unlike other wart treatments that require multiple sessions
• The whole appointment takes less than 60 minutes, with the procedure time typically less than 20 minutes
• It’s performed under local anaesthetic so no pain is felt during the procedure
• It has good outcomes and efficacy compared to other treatments
• Because the wart is removed on the day, any pain or discomfort caused by the wart will be alleviated once the surgical site heals
• You will be able to return to work/school the day following the procedure, if not the same day, depending on the size and position of your plantar wart
• This procedure is safe for children as well as adults
• We monitor your progress to ensure it is healing well

The total recovery time typically takes up to four weeks, depending on the patient and the size and location of their plantar wart. There may be some slight discomfort for the first couple of days and pain relief may be taken to ease this as long as it is not aspirin-based. You will have a follow-up appointment within the first week of your procedure to re-dress the surgical site where you will be given a take-home dressing pack to continue re-dressing your foot at home. You will be given home-care instructions on how to care for your feet and achieve the best healing outcomes.

The Procedure:

• Local anesthetic is administered, so the affected area is completely numb
• The edges of the wart are circumscribed, separating the affected viral tissue from the healthy surrounding tissue
• A curette is used to scoop out the plantar wart in its entirety
• The area is dressed appropriately for optimum healing
• The anesthetic will wear off in two to three hours following the procedure
• After forty-eight hours, showering is permitted and life can continue as normal

Please note: As with any treatment for plantar warts, there is no guarantee that the wart will not return in the future, regardless of the treatment approach. This is because once infected, the HPV virus remains inside your body and may present as warts at different times in your life. Treatment focuses on removing painful, uncomfortable or unsightly warts that have a negative impact on your quality of life, and are successful in achieving this for the specific wart in question.