Excisional Surgery

BEFORE SURGERY:

Please inform us if you take medications which increase bleeding e.g. Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover) or Warfarin as we may need to stop them or reduce dosage prior to surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Nurofen) increase bleeding, so please stop 3 days before surgery. Please take paracetamol and codeine preparations if you require pain relief in this pre-operative period.

Alcohol aggravates bleeding, so please avoid alcoholic drinks for 24 hours prior to and after surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and slows healing. It would be helpful if you could stop smoking for a minimum of 3 days prior to surgery and for one week afterwards. Please inform us if you are allergic to latex.

Please complete and return your Patient Admission Form as soon as possible to confirm your admission for day surgery and also to confirm your financial responsibilities prior to your admission.

THE OPERATION:

The lesion will be removed under local anaesthetic. There is no need for you to fast or restrict your normal food intake in any way.

The procedure itself will take between 1⁄2 to 1 hour. The local anaesthetic is administered into the skin around the site of surgery and lasts for between 1 to 2 hours. The local anaesthetic contains a very small amount of adrenalin. This reduces bleeding during the operation. Sometimes it will make your heart beat a little faster or make your hands shake for 10–15 mins before settling.

An electrocautery machine is used to stop any bleeding, and our nurse will attach an earthing pad to your abdomen for this machine.

If the lesion is on your face, your eyes will be shielded from the bright operating light during the procedure.

POSTOPERATIVE CARE:

At the end of the operation, the nurse will show you how to care for the wound & you will be given an instruction sheet to remind you how this is done. The stitches will usually be removed in 7 to 14 days–depending on the operation site.

The excised tissue will be sent for pathology tests and results will be available in 5 – 7 days.
Restriction of physical activity is advised while sutures are in place and especially for the first 24 – 48 hours. Car parking is available under the Centre on the day of your surgery. A permit can be obtained from reception.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)