Excisional skin surgery

Excisional skin surgery

Excisional skin surgery is a common medical procedure used to remove skin lesions or tumors. It involves cutting out the affected area of skin along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal of the abnormal growth. This type of surgery is often performed by dermatologists or plastic surgeons and can be done under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.

Indications

Excisional skin surgery is indicated for various skin conditions, including:

• Skin cancer: Excisional surgery is commonly used to remove basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
• Benign skin lesions: It can also be used to remove benign growths such as moles, cysts, and lipomas.
• Precancerous lesions: Some precancerous lesions like actinic keratosis may also be treated with excisional surgery.

Procedure

During the procedure, the surgeon will first clean and numb the area to be operated on. A surgical scalpel is then used to carefully cut around the lesion, ensuring that an adequate margin of healthy tissue is also removed. The wound is then closed with sutures or stitches, depending on the size and location of the excision.

Recovery

After excisional skin surgery, patients may experience some pain, swelling, and bruising at the surgical site. It is important to follow post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications such as infection or scarring.

Complications

While excisional skin surgery is generally considered safe, there are potential risks and complications associated with the procedure, including:

• Infection: Proper wound care is essential to prevent infection.
• Bleeding: Some bleeding is normal after surgery, but excessive bleeding may require medical attention.
• Scarring: The size and location of the excision can affect the appearance of the scar.