One-Day Surgery
Surgical Removal of Skin Lesions
Every surgical excision of a skin lesion serves three purposes: therapeutic (removal of the disease focus), preventive (avoiding malignant transformation), and aesthetic (improving appearance or comfort). Candidates for the procedure include not only “suspicious” moles but also viral warts, fibromas, or seborrheic keratoses when they cause pain, irritation, or affect self-esteem.
Below you will find key information about the indications, the procedure itself, and aftercare following lesion removal.
Every surgical excision of a skin lesion serves three purposes: therapeutic (removal of the disease focus), preventive (avoiding malignant transformation), and aesthetic (improving appearance or comfort). Candidates for the procedure include not only “suspicious” moles but also viral warts, fibromas, or seborrheic keratoses when they cause pain, irritation, or affect self-esteem.
Below you will find key information about the indications, the procedure itself, and aftercare following lesion removal.
When to Consider Removing a Skin Lesion — Indications
Oncological and Preventive
- The ABCDE rule for melanoma — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter > 6 mm, Evolution of appearance; the presence of even one of these features is a signal for dermatological consultation and often complete excision of the lesion.
- Pigmented moles located in areas difficult to monitor (such as the scalp or intimate regions) or constantly irritated by clothing are often excised prophylactically with a 1–3 mm margin of healthy skin.
- Precancerous lesions and skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma) require wider margins and histopathological examination to confirm “clear margins.”
Therapeutic
- Viral warts, condylomas, fibromas, or seborrheic keratoses that rupture, bleed, or cause recurrent infections are removed to eliminate the source of discomfort.
Aesthetic and Comfort-Related
- Protruding moles or lesions located in sensitive areas (such as under the bra strap or along the shaving line) are often removed for cosmetic reasons or to prevent snagging on clothing or jewelry.
Dermatological Assessment
A specialist consultation is required before the procedure.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
- Local anesthesia – usually 1% lidocaine; the procedure is painless.
- Elliptical excision – the lesion is removed with an appropriate margin of healthy skin, depending on the type of lesion; small blood vessels are sealed with cauterization.
- Suturing – absorbable stitches are placed (or non-absorbable stitches, which are removed after 7–14 days depending on the location).
- Histopathological examination – every pigmented lesion and every “preventive” excision is sent to pathology; results are typically available within 2–3 weeks.
Postoperative Care and Complications
After excision, the patient should keep a sterile dressing for 24 hours, then clean the wound with an antiseptic solution and cover it with a plaster until the stitches are removed. Swelling and bruising usually resolve within 3–5 days. Lesions that are not completely removed may recur; therefore, a follow-up visit after histopathology results is mandatory.
Specialists
See also
LipofillingLiposuction CystoscopyHysteroscopyVaricose Vein Treatment – Venex SystemSclerotherapy – Varicose and Spider Vein TreatmentPhimosis treatmentIntrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion under General AnesthesiaSurgical TreatmentsTreatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)Facial Plastic SurgeryCircumcisionEar Plastic SurgeryForeskin Plastic SurgeryBody Plastic SurgeryAlcohol Implant – Esperal (Disulfiram)Stem Cell TherapyMinor Surgical / Proctological Procedures