Atrium Health Navicent Surgery Macon
Soft Tissue & Skin Surgeries
Benign Skin Lesion Biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy of a benign area is done to help diagnose or rule out an illness. There are 4 ways to do this type of biopsy and all are done in your physician's office. There are many types of benign skin lesions and you doctor can tell what kind you have.
Before Surgery
- Your doctor will review allergies and all of your medications including over the counter medications and any herbs or vitamins.
During Surgery
Local anesthesia will be used to do the biopsy and one of four types of biopsies will be done. All biopsies will be sent to lab for further examination.
- Shave Biopsy- Your doctor will only remove the outer most layer of the skin
- Punch Biopsy- Your doctor will remove a small round piece of skin using a sharp, hollow instrument. Depending on the size removed, the area may have to be closed with stitches.
- Excisional Biopsy- Your doctor will remove the entire lesion going as deep as needed. Pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the area will be closed with stitches. A skin graft may be used if the area is very large.
- Incisional Biopsy- Your doctor will take a piece of a large growth and send it for exam. If a large piece is taken, you will need stitches.
After Surgery
- You will be able to go home after any of the above procedures.
- You will be given wound care instructions and told when to follow up with your physician.
Risks of this Procedure
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
Melonoma Excision
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer there is. When there is a suspicion or diagnosis of melanoma your doctor can excise or remove the entire melanoma. Usually when the melanoma is removed your doctor will also remove some of the tissue and fat from under it as well.
Before Surgery
- Your doctor will review allergies and all of your medications including over the counter medications and any herbs or vitamins.
During Surgery
- Local or general anesthesia will be used for this procedure depending on the size of the melanoma to be removed.
- Local Anesthesia- This will be used for small excisions. These small excisions are usually closed with stitches and heal without difficulty.
- General Anesthesia- This will be used for large excisions. If the excision is very large skin grafts may have to be used to help close the wound after surgery.
After Surgery
- You will be taken to recovery for a short time and then be able to go home.
- You will be given wound care instructions, pain medicine, and told when to follow up with your physician.
Risks of this Procedure
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Rejection of the skin graft
Pilonidal Cyst Removal
A pilonidal cyst occurs at the bottom of the spine and looks like a large pimple at the top of the buttocks. It is usually caused by an ingrown hair and it is common to find hair follicles inside the cyst. Symptoms usually include pain, swelling, redness, draining of pus, and fever. Antibiotics will not help a pilonidal cyst.
Before Surgery
- Your doctor will review allergies and all of your medications including over the counter medications and any herbs or vitamins.
During Surgery
- Local anesthesia will be used for this procedure
- Incision and Drainage of the cyst- The cyst is cut open and drained, removing all the hair follicles inside. The wound is then packed with gauze. The packing must be changed frequently until the cyst heals. The doctor may also choose to immediately close the wound with stitches. If this is done you will not have to pack the wound but the level of recurrence is higher.
After Surgery
- You will be taken to recovery for a short time and then be able to go home.
- You will be given wound care instructions and if needed home health may be ordered to help care for the wound.
Risks of this Procedure
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Recurrence of the cyst