Surgery Skin Lesions
What is Skin
Lesion Surgery?
Skin lesion surgery is an operation to remove a mole, cyst, lump, or lipoma including lesions that may be a skin cancer. It is also called an excision of a skin lesion or an excision biopsy when the lesion is removed so that it can be tested.
Dr Salter removes the lesion along with a small margin of normal skin around it, and closes the wound with stitches. The excision is done under local anaesthetic or general anaesthesia, depending on the size of the skin lesion.
Whatever tissue is removed is sent to a pathologist for examination, and Dr Salter will discuss the result with you and let your GP know.
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Before: Some skin lesion surgery is done under local anaesthetic, so you can eat normally and drive yourself. The rooms will tell you if your procedure needs a general anaesthetic.
During: The area is numbed, which stings briefly. You will feel pressure but not pain. Most excisions take less than an hour.
After: The wound is closed with stitches and covered with a dressing. Dr Salter will explain how to care for your wound, whether your stitches dissolve or need removing, and when the pathology result will be ready.
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Most people go home on the day of surgery. Keep the wound dry and covered as directed. Some stitches dissolve on their own; others are removed within one to two weeks. Avoid stretching or heavy lifting near the wound while it heals. These are typical timeframes and Dr Salter will advise you further.
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Dr Salter’s rooms will send you what you to know need beforehand, will inform you of the fasting time frames and which medications to stop prior to surgery. The full checklist is on the Patient Information page.