Procedure | Surgical
Lesion Removal / Lump Surgery
A surgical excision surgically removes malignant moles, lesions, and tumors from the skin with a healthy margin around the tumor. As skin lesions may carry the risk of being cancerous, a biopsy should be performed.
Skin lesions can be cut out, frozen off, treated with special creams, or destroyed using heat, laser or light therapy. Skin removal techniques includes shave excision, simple scissor excision, skin excision – full-thickness, curettage and electrodesiccation, laser excision. What treatment you’re offered will depend on the type of skin lesion you have and where it is on your body.
Avoid Sun Exposure, and wear an SPF 30 daily even if the region to be treated is covered.
Stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
Confirmed someone to drive you home and available to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Shower as directed before the surgery.
Do not wear cosmetics, jewelry of any kind, contact lenses, hair clips, and/or body piercing.
This procedure starts with a specific type of anesthesia suits your condition. Then cutting across the base of the lesion, leaving it at the level of your surrounding skin. Sometimes combined with heat therapy to seal your skin and stops it from bleeding.
The removed lesion is usually sent to the lab where it is examined under a microscope.
Once the lesion or lump is removed the area is stitched back together.
The procedure takes about 1 hour. depending on the type of procedure and the size of treatment area.
Most wounds take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when you’ll need to have your stitches removed, but it’s usually within 14 days.
If a large area of skin was removed, you may have a skin graft. In that case, healing may take longer. Some soreness around the site of the wound is normal.
You will have a dressing over the wound. A dressing helps the wound heal and protects it.
Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry.
Keep the wound dry for 48 hours, or until any dressings have been removed.
Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
If you have a skin graft, don’t rub it for 3 to 4 weeks.
Avoid stretching the affected area.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks.
Avoid picking any scabs that may form.
Oatmeal baths or lotions can provide relief from itching or burning caused by certain skin lesions.
Complications associated with a surgical excision include:
- Scarring
- Bleeding or swelling
- Pain
- Infection
- Lighter or darker skin
- Incision opening after surgery
