Surgical Excision Specialist

Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago

Dermatology located in River North, Chicago, IL

In some cases, surgical excision is the best choice for a skin mass, such as a suspicious mole. At Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago, the team of surgical excision specialists skillfully performs excisions in their office for your convenience. To schedule an appointment at their office in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, call the office or book one online today.

Surgical Excision Q&A

What is surgical excision?

Surgical excision is an on-site procedure in which the experienced surgical team removes a skin growth (lesion). In a standard surgical excision, you receive local anesthesia to numb the area with the lesion.

Then, the team uses special surgical instruments to cleanly remove the lesion and close the wound. You can return home immediately after an in-office surgical excision, and there's no downtime required.

When might I need a surgical excision?

Surgical excision may be the best way to deal with several types of lesions, including moles, cysts, and malignant skin cancers (melanomas).

With some benign skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), surgical excision may be the best treatment choice in certain cases. However, depending on your lesion's specific type and location, an incremental method of removing the lesion, like Mohs surgery, may be a better option.

Should I have Mohs surgery or a surgical excision?

Mohs surgery removes only the minimum amount of tissue and does so in stages during one procedure, but it's not ideal for all lesions. For example, surgical excision is usually preferred with a melanoma that grows deep into the skin.

Mohs surgery is often an ideal choice for a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma growth on your face — an area where preserving the maximum amount of tissue is important for aesthetic reasons.

How do I prepare for surgical excision?

Before your scheduled surgical excision, the Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago team provides preparation guidelines. Since you're only having local anesthesia, you may eat and drink normally prior to your appointment.

You may need to temporarily alter the way you take certain medications prior to surgery. The team reviews all of your medications and makes individualized recommendations before your procedure.

Be sure to wear clothing that allows you to expose the surgical area comfortably.

What happens after my surgical excision?

After your surgical excision appointment, you receive specific wound care instructions. Typically, this includes keeping the wound clean and changing your dressings regularly.

Avoid exposing your wound to the sun, as this can potentially lead to discoloration around your surgical scar. With proper wound care, most scars fade and become barely noticeable later.

To learn more about surgical excision and how it can help you successfully remove a skin lesion, call Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago, or book an appointment online today.