A skin excision is a surgical procedure to treat a skin lesion or growth for the purpose of diagnosing or permanently removing it. Skin excisions may be performed anywhere on the body to remove skin growths like cysts, deeper growths like lipomas (fatty tumors), treat skin cancers that do not require Mohs surgery, or diagnose certain skin conditions.
Skin excisions are used for various purposes in dermatology, including:
Removal of Skin Lesions: Excisions are commonly employed to remove benign growths such as moles, cysts, and lipomas (fatty growths) that may be causing discomfort or are cosmetically undesirable.
Biopsy: Excisional biopsy involves removing an entire skin lesion or a portion of it for microscopic examination. This aids in diagnosing skin conditions such as skin cancer, dermatitis, and other dermatological disorders.
Skin Cancer Treatment: Excisions play a crucial role in treating skin cancer by completely removing cancerous lesions, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Scar Revision: In cases where scars are prominent or causing functional impairment, excisions may be performed to remove scar tissue and improve the appearance and flexibility of the skin.
At Apex Skin Center, your procedure will be performed by a board-certified dermatologist. The procedure visit starts with a consultation with Dr. Thomas Knackstedt. As an experienced dermatologic surgeon having performed over 10,000 skin surgeries, Dr. Knackstedt will review the nature of your skin growth, explain the reason a removal is recommended, outline the procedure, and discuss the expected recovery with you in detail.
The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the skin growth, ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure. The board-certified dermatologist will then surgically remove the lesion and place the specimen in a bottle to be sent to a pathologist to establish a diagnosis and/or ensure the complete removal of the growth (clear margins).
The majority of excisions can be closed in a linear (straight line) fashion or allowed to heal on their own. Depending on a number of variables, a wound may be stitched with dissolvable sutures or permanent sutures that need to be removed at a follow up visit. Dr. Knackstedt will involve you throughout the surgical process, review of potential options, and any important decision making. The degree and frequency of follow-up visits after your excision is determined by your preferences, the characteristics of the skin lesion removed, and the nature of your wound repair.
Whenever the skin is broken or incised into, there will always be a scar. Careful surgical technique minimizes scarring. A skin excision generally results in a fine line scar. Your surgery will always be performed by a board-certified who is experienced in minimizing scar appearance.
Your wound may be tender 1-2 hours after the excision when the local anesthetic wears off. Most often, only over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is all that is needed. Icepacks also help with pain reduction and decrease swelling or bruising.
Excision is a common and effective treatment for many types of skin cancer. If you or a loved one needs skin cancer treatment, schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist at Apex Skin Center. Renowned across Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina, our dermatologists perform precise excisions to remove cancerous tissue while prioritizing cosmetic outcomes. With convenient locations, we make accessing expert dermatologic care easy and stress-free. Schedule an appointment today to discuss excision as a treatment option.
At a Glance
Dr. Thomas Knackstedt
Double board certified in dermatology and Mohs Surgery
Over ten years of experience providing evidence-based care
Nationally renowned physician leader with numerous publications, lectures, and academic affiliations
