SKIN CANCER
What is a skin lesion
excision?
A
lesion (or diseased skin) may be a skin cancer, which is at risk of
damaging normal skin and other surrounding structures. To prevent the
lesion from extending, it will need to be removed and examined under a
microscope.
A skin
excision is the process of cutting out the lesion and a small segment of
surrounding normal skin (margin).
Please
advise the doctor if you take Garlic, Aspirin or Warfarin as these will
need to be stopped.
What does it involve?
Skin
excisions are usually done under local anaesthetic. A local anaesthetic
is an injection that numbs an area of skin so that you do not feel pain
during the procedure. The local anaesthetic will not make you sleepy.
Sometimes a mild sedative will be given to relax.
Upon
removal of the lesion, the gap (or defect) that is left in the skin is
then closed. There are a number of techniques used to close the
defect. If it is a small defect, then the surgeon will cut an ellipse
around the lesion, remove the lesion and then stitch the two edges of
the ellipse together to form a straight-line scar. If the defect is
large, the surgeon will have to use a skin graft or flap. This involves
taking skin from another area (donor site) and stitching it over the
defect. The defect in the donor site is stitched up, whilst aiming to
minimise scarring.
After the procedure
The
wound should heal in less than one week. The wound will start off red
and then with time, the scar will improve. A follow-up appointment
should be made with Dr Warrier. Leave the dressing in tact and dry
unless otherwise advised.
Complications of skin excision
-
Infection
-
Bleeding
-
Skin graft/flap failure
Infection or bleeding can occur in any operation. If you notice
increasing redness, pain or a lump or if you are feeling unwell, then
please contact your doctor. You may have an infection. A simple wound
infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics. If it is more
severe, then you may need to go to hospital.
If the
skin graft/flap fails, then it may be necessary to do another operation.
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