SURGICAL EXCISION OF SKIN LESIONS – a procedure in which diseased tissue is excised with a scalpel (sharp excision) under local anaesthesia. The material is sent for histopathological examination, which shows whether cancer cells are present in the specimen.
Preparing the patient for SURGICAL EXCISION OF A SKIN LESION, and care after the procedure.
PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE:
- Blood tests (basic complete blood count, PT, APTT, HBs antigen, anti-HCV).
- Stopping, for 7–10 days, medicines that inhibit blood clotting or thin the blood, e.g. Aspiryna, Acard, Polopiryna, Polocard, Heparyna.
- On the day of the procedure, the patient washes the whole body at home /bath/, paying particular attention to areas that are difficult to wash, e.g. the navel, skin folds in people with obesity, areas of thickened (keratinised) skin, and nails.
- At the centre, before the procedure, we remove hair from the area to be operated on if necessary (shaving with a disposable razor).
- The patient changes into a disposable SURGICAL GOWN and then goes to the treatment room, where the procedure is performed.
- After the procedure, the patient stays at the centre for a further ½ hour for observation and then returns home accompanied by another person.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
- If you are in pain, take painkillers such as Pyralgina, Nurofen or Ibuprom (do not take blood-thinning medicines such as Aspiryna or Polopiryna)
- Change the dressing on the second day after the procedure:
- remove the existing dressing
- clean the wound and the skin around it with a sterile gauze swab soaked in disinfectant
- then apply a plaster with a sterile dressing pad over the wound.
- Until the wound has healed, wash only in the shower (no baths)
- Change your underwear frequently
- After 7 days: follow-up visit and removal of stitches
If you develop a fever, heavy bleeding or any other worrying symptoms, you must see your GP (family doctor).