Excision
How Does Excision Work?
Excision is a minimally-invasive surgery technique used to remove moles, skin growths and lesions. A small amount of local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. The doctor then uses a tool to remove the lesion as well as some of the healthy skin surrounding the affected area. The tool used depends on the type of lesion and its location, but can be anything from a scalpel to a laser device known as a LEEP. Excision is a quick and relatively easy process. Once the growth is removed, the area may be closed with stitches. Sometimes skin grafts are used to cover larger areas.
Conditions Treated by Excision
Excision is used primarily to remove skin growths or lesions that may or may not be malignant. It can also be used as part of the diagnostic process to take a sample of tissue that can then be biopsied. Most excisions are outpatient procedures that take only a short amount of time.
