What Does This Surgery Involve?

If your surgeon performs a partial removal (shave biopsy), an incision will be made across the base of the lesion, almost shaving the lesion off of the skin. This technique is used primarily for lesions that stick out of the skin.

A direct removal involves the entirety of the lesion or mole cut out, along with some surrounding skin. The skin is then closed and stitched up (sometimes dissolvable stitches are used). The procedure takes between 30 minutes to an hour, dependent on the size of the lesion or mole.

Following surgery, minimal discomfort may be experienced, which can be managed with painkillers and extra care is to be taken to avoid getting the dressing wet.

Split skin grafting involves taking a piece of skin from an area near the lesion, to ensure a better skin tone match. This skin is held in place with sutures (either with or without a pressure pad) for 7-14 days and then inspected.

If the skin has healed, the grafted area may be left exposed and moisturised to help with maturation and the final result. If the area has not healed, the graft will be redressed and left for another 5-7 days.

Recovery After Surgery

Wounds should clear and heal within a few weeks after the treatment, with stitches removed 7-14 days after the procedure (unless dissolvable options were used). The area should not be overly stretched for two weeks.

The wound should be kept out of the sun until it has completely healed, and then sun cream should be worn for 18-24 months over the affected areas as they will be prone to burning.

For more information, we would be delighted if you wanted to arrange a consultation with us. You can call the Private Patient Advisory Team on 01342 488054 for free and professional advice.