Skin surgery overview & risks
Minor skin surgery is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of lesions, including suspicious moles, cysts, benign growths and skin cancers. Procedures are usually carried out under local anaesthetic and are designed to remove or sample the area of concern with minimal discomfort.
Common skin surgery procedures
At Birmingham Skin Clinic, a range of procedures can be used, including:
- Punch biopsy
- Incisional biopsy
- Shave biopsy
- Curettage and cautery
- Excision biopsy
- Wide local excision
The choice of procedure depends on the type, size and location of the lesion and whether the main aim is diagnosis, treatment or both.
What to expect during skin surgery
All surgical procedures are carried out in a minor operation room in outpatients. The area is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic so you should feel pressure but no sharp pain. The lesion is then removed or sampled and the wound is closed or dressed depending on the technique used.
You will receive instructions on how to look after the wound and when to have any stitches removed. A pathology report is usually available after the specimen has been examined under the microscope.
Risks and potential side effects
All surgical procedures carry some risks, although serious complications are uncommon in minor skin surgery. Possible risks include:
- Bleeding or bruising at the site
- Infection requiring antibiotics
- Scarring or change in skin texture
- Temporary or permanent alteration in skin colour
- Numbness or altered sensation near the scar
- Recurrence of the original lesion in some cases
Your dermatologist will explain the benefits and risks of your specific procedure and how to reduce complications, for example by good wound care and avoiding heavy exercise until healing has progressed.
If you have been advised to consider skin surgery and would like to discuss your options, please contact us via the contact page.