Dermatologic surgery

What is dermosurgery?

Dermosurgery, also called dermatological surgery, is a surgical treatment used to treat skin diseases. This method combines the specialties of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery: in fact, these operations consist in the removal of lesions with a scalpel and the reconstruction of the skin by means of dressings or reconstructive surgery techniques.

Dermatological surgery is a procedure used for clinical indication.

Why is it performed?

Dermatologic surgery is a procedure used for clinical indication (in case of malignant lesions) or to correct the aesthetics of some elements present on our skin. In particular, it allows to remove

  • Nevi
  • Cysts
  • Lipomas
  • Fibromas
  • Papillomas
  • Warts
  • Actinic and seborrheic keratosis
  • Melanomas
  • Epitheliomas

What does it consist of?

Dermatosurgery lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Anesthesia is performed with a fine needle in one or more areas depending on the type of lesion. The incisions are closed with surrounding skin flaps or by so-called “donor” areas of the body, such as the proximal extremities, the clavicle area or the peri-auricular area. The suture to be applied at the end of the procedure can be applied with intradermal resorbable stitches or with external non-resorbable stitches, although for the best aesthetic result, the best suture is applied with fine stitches to be removed as soon as possible or with sterile stitches (adhesive stitches).

Preparation for dermosurgery

Before undergoing a dermosurgical operation it is necessary:

  • Rule out allergies to anesthetics.
  • Inform your ophthalmologist of any ongoing treatment, especially if it involves the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. In this case, it is advisable to suspend these treatments a few days before surgery.
  • Perform cardiological tests (if indicated by a specialist).
  • Inform your ophthalmologist if you wear a pacemaker or suffer from any comorbidity such as diabetes or coagulation deficit.
  • Fasting for at least 2 hours before surgery.
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Postoperative recovery

After surgery, some patients may experience a feeling of tightness in the area where the surgical incision was made, but usually the discomfort is minimal and can be controlled by applying ice. The patient may be discharged immediately after the operation in case of local anesthesia, while, in case of intravenous sedation, the patient should remain under observation for about 30-45 minutes. The dressing should be kept for 5-10 days, avoiding removal and/or wetting and, in the case of minor operations, it is possible to resume daily and work activities immediately, while in the case of more important operations the patient should remain at rest for 24-48 hours. Scarring is inevitable: it may be more or less visible but every surgical operation involves a scar. Its extent varies depending on the lesion to be treated, while its quality varies according to the patient’s age, the surgeon’s skill, the area of the body in which it is located, the length of time the stitches are kept and the body’s healing capacity. In any case, it is possible to correct the scar with a second operation. It is important to remember that scars remain sensitive to sunlight for at least 4-5 months, so it is necessary to protect them with creams and sunscreens. For more information contact a specialist in Dermatology.

Alternative treatments

There are other useful procedures to remove skin lesions:

  • Diathermocoagulation
  • Extirpation by shaving
  • Curettage
  • Cryotherapy