Skin Lesion Removal

A skin lesion is an abnormal growth on the skin. Skin lesions can include warts, moles, cancers, and skin tags.

You doctor may recommend that your skin lesion be removed. he/she may recommend this because the lesion is precancerous or cancerous. The lesion may have created a chronic skin irritation. Or you may want the skin lesion removed for cosmetic reasons.

No matter the reason for the removal of the skin lesion ask your doctor to schedule it to be done at Outpatient Services East. You will be pleased with the service and care you recieve there.

Most of the time the removal of a lesion is simple. However, there can be complications. No medical procedure is completely free of risk. If you and your doctor agree you need to have a lesion removed he/she will list for you any possible complications. The list may include:

• Bleeding
• Scarring
• Changes in skin color
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Nerve damage
• Recurrence of the lesion

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Smoking
• Immunosuppression
• Bleeding disorders
• Circulatory problems

Most of the time there are no special preparations required for this procedure. Usually a local anesthesia is used. It will make the area numb so you should feel no pain at all.

The procedure will be something like this:

The area will be cleaned. The skin surrounding the lesion will be numbed by anesthesia. Keep in mind that techniques for skin lesion removal vary depending on the reason for removal and lesion location. Common techniques include:

• Removal with scalpel—The lesion is cut away with a surgical knife.
• Laser surgery—A high-energy beam destroys skin tissue.
• Electrosurgery—This is the use of an electrical current to selectively destroy skin tissue.
• Cryosurgery—A cold liquid or instrument is used to freeze and remove the lesion.
• Curettage—This is the scraping of the skin with a circular cutting loop instrument.
• Mohs’ micrographic surgery—This is used to examine suspected cancerous lesions. Small pieces of tissue are successively removed and then viewed microscopically for signs of cancer . The goal is to get all the cancer tissue and leave as much healthy tissue as possible.

After the lesion is removed, stitches will be used to close the hole left in the skin. Clean stickers may also be used to help keep the skin closed. A bandage will be placed over the area.

The amount of time needed for the removal of the skin lesion  depends on which procedure is used. Most are completed within 5-20 minutes.

While the anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may have some pain at the surgery site after the procedure. Your doctor will most likely give you something to take or put on the site to help relieve any pain you may experience.

Your doctor will discuss with you how long you should wait before getting any water on the surgery site. he/she will probably tell you to pat the wound dry. Be sure not to submerge the wound in water until it is well-healed.

If you have stitches the doctor will tell you how long they will have to stay in place. It is important that you listen to your doctor and follow any instructions your doctor gives you for care of the site after you get home.

Keep in mind this is just an overview of what to expect if you have a skin lesion removed. The medical staff at Outpatient Services East will discuss in detail what you can expect and how to care for yourself after you are home.

Phone:  205-838-3888