Warts are treated by numerous methods, including external creams solutions (e.g., Aldara); in cream treatment failures, electrocautery is used. Electrocautery must be done with a “point pen” instrument, i.e., a handheld device used to deliver high heat to a very precise, pinpoint spot. This device allows the user to control and minimize both the total surface area being burned/ablated but, more significantly, the depth of the burn. A doctor must prevent damage to the underlying tissues because without them, the upper layers can never return/re-form.
By contrast to a “point pen” device, the rollerball (a device made to be used in the uterus) goes much deeper, with the specific intent of causing a third degree burn and thus destroying wide areas of the endometrium (i.e., the lining of the uterus) with each pass. The rollerball is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding (including menorrhagia, menometrorrhagia, polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and amenorrhea). The rollerball is NOT for use to remove external warts and is not to be used on the vagina, cervix or vulva. A rollerball is analogous to a paint roller, while a point pen is like a tiny paint brush used for a model car.
Again, the specific intent of using the rollerball is to destroy the targeted underlying tissue (the uterine lining) forever, so that the uterus can never again function as a uterus. Using a rollerball on a vagina, vulva or cervix will destroy the underlying tissue (including the vasculature) such that the area will never heal back to normal looking/functioning vagina, vulva or cervix (respectively).
Electrocautery treatment of gynecologic warts gynecology and STI/STDs.