Medical and surgical procedures
Dermatologic surgery: removal of moles, cysts, lipomas and skin tumors
Dermatologic surgery includes in-office procedures, under local anesthesia, to remove skin lesions such as suspicious moles, skin cancers, cysts, lipomas and warts, perform biopsies and treat ingrown toenails. All removed tissue is sent for microscopic analysis (pathology), which confirms the diagnosis. At Yamagata Dermatologia, in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, procedures are performed by dermatologists after a medical evaluation.
- Anesthesia
- Local
- Setting
- The clinic's procedure room
- Analysis
- Pathology of the lesion
- Recovery
- Dressings and stitch removal, when applicable
How it works
Dermatologic surgery treats lesions of the skin and its appendages (hair and nails) with minor and intermediate procedures performed in the office. The main ones are:
- Excision: complete removal of the lesion with a margin of skin around it, followed by stitches. It is used for suspicious moles, skin cancers, cysts and lipomas.
- Biopsy: removal of a fragment of the lesion for microscopic analysis, when the diagnosis must be confirmed before defining treatment.
- Partial nail avulsion with matricectomy: removal of the ingrowing edge of the nail and cauterization of the root at that corner, so the nail grows back narrower.
- Cauterization and cryotherapy: treatment of superficial lesions, such as warts and keratoses, with heat or liquid nitrogen.
In areas such as the nose, eyelids and ears, the closure is planned with reconstruction techniques that preserve the function and harmony of the face.
Indications
- Skin cancerBasal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and melanoma.
- MolesMoles that look suspicious on examination or dermoscopy.
- Cysts and lipomasEpidermoid cysts and lipomas.
- Ingrown toenailPartial nail avulsion with matricectomy in recurring cases.
Procedures performed
ProceduresLesion removal (excision) · Skin biopsy · Cyst removal · Lipoma removal · Ingrown toenail surgery · Cauterization and cryotherapy of superficial lesions
What the surgery is like
The doctor marks the lesion and margins, cleans the skin and applies local anesthesia, which causes a quick prick and numbs the area. The lesion is removed and the incision is closed with stitches. The tissue is placed in a container and sent to the laboratory. A dressing is applied at the end.
Recovery
You can go home right after the procedure. There may be mild pain, controlled with common painkillers, and slight swelling or bruising.
Results
The pathology result is ready within a few days to a few weeks and is discussed at the follow-up appointment. For tumors, it confirms whether the removal was complete or whether further treatment is needed.
Contraindications
Bleeding disorders, use of anticoagulants, uncontrolled diabetes, allergy to anesthetics and a tendency to keloids require evaluation before the procedure.
At the evaluation, the dermatologist reviews your health history, current medications and previous procedures to confirm the indication.
All procedures are recommended and performed after an individual medical evaluation. Results vary from person to person.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is dermatologic surgery done in the office?
Yes. Most skin surgeries are done in the clinic's procedure room, under local anesthesia, and the patient goes home right afterwards.
Will there be a scar?
Every lesion removal with an incision leaves a scar. Planning aims to place it along the natural lines of the skin and to use closure techniques that make it as discreet as possible. How the scar evolves also depends on the area and each person's tendency.
Why is the lesion sent for analysis?
Pathology, done under the microscope, confirms the diagnosis and, for tumors, checks whether the lesion was completely removed, with clear margins.
How long until the stitches come out?
It depends on the area: on the face, usually five to seven days; on the body, ten to 14 days. The doctor explains how to care for the dressing and when to return.
Team
Medical team
See also
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