Skin lesion

Type of anesthesia

local anesthesia

Procedure duration

several – several dozen minutes

Required tests

no tests are required (general good health is required)

Preparation for the procedure

arrive well-rested, take a shower beforehand, do not wear makeup, do not drink alcohol for several days prior, do not take blood-thinning medications for 2 weeks prior (acetylsalicylic acid – found in Aspirin, Acard, Polopiryn), discontinue dietary supplements for 2 weeks prior (they have an unpredictable effect on blood clotting);

The procedure should not be performed during any infection;

The procedure should not be performed on pregnant women;

Recovery period:

• Return to intellectual work the day after the procedure;
• The appearance of the local condition on the face may limit return to work for 7 – 14 days;
• Makeup in the area of the facial scar 7 days after suture removal;
• Engaging in sports without risk of injury 7 days after suture removal (sometimes longer for large skin lesions in areas with taut skin);
• Protection of facial skin from radiation for 1 year.

Follow-up examinations:

• After one week: local condition check, suture removal (or partial suture removal);
• Follow-up examination with histopathological test result;

Medication

• over-the-counter painkillers (usually not even necessary).

Wound and scar care

• Do not use any scar ointments until the stitches are removed;
• After suture removal, lubricate the scar for about 1 week (neutral ointment from the pharmacy);
• After one week of lubrication, silicone ointments can be applied;
• The appearance of the scar improves for up to 1 year after the procedure – eventually, the scar becomes pale and loses its pink color;

Unavoidable consequences:

• discomfort/ pain,
• swelling,
• bruising,
• scar – a scar is inevitable (its location depends on the location of the lesion and the type of incision, and its appearance depends on many variables: location on the body, size of the excised lesion, genetic predispositions of the patient);

Complications

• hypertrophic scar,
• keloid,
• contour distortion in the area of the excised lesion;
• prolonged healing,
• hematoma,
• infection,
• incomplete excision of the lesion;

Microscopic examination of the removed tissue

(histopathological examination) allows for a final diagnosis to be made). Depending on the result of the histopathological examination, further action.