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Curettage or shave excision
Curettage is a surgical procedure that removes skin lesions with a sharp tool called a curette. A shave excision is where the lesion is sliced or shaved off with a sharp blade. After the lesion is removed, heat is applied to seal the blood vessels and stop bleeding, therefore stitching is not required.
Cost
£200
This is for a 30 minute appointment. Several skin tags or a few seborrhoeic keratoses can be removed within this time. If you request the removal of many lesions, a longer appointment may be necessary (45 mins £300, 60 mins £400); the doctor will confirm what you require at your minor surgery assessment appointment.
Occasionally, it will be appropriate and necessary to send the lesion for histology (testing). This is to check for any abnormal cells and costs £150 for the first lesion, and £75 for each additional lesion. At your minor surgery assessment appointment, the doctor will advise if this will be required.
What can this treat?
- Skin tag removal
- Seborrheic Keratosis removal
- Some other skin lesions can be treated with this procedure - the doctor will advise
How should I prepare for my appointment?
No special preparation is required
What should I expect during the treatment?
The doctor will numb the area with an anaesthetic injection. You are likely to feel the injection and then some stinging, but there should be no other pain. The lesion will then be treated with curettage or shave excision. To prevent the wound from bleeding, the doctor will use electrodesiccation to apply a high-frequency electric current which heats the area to seal the blood vessels. If necessary, the wound will then be dressed.
What happens after the treatment?
You may feel some minor discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off. This should be minimal and you can take mild pain relief such as paracetamol if necessary. If it is getting worse rather than better, let us know.
You should keep the wound dry for the first 3 days, and keep the dressing on for 5-7 days. Protect the wound by rubbing over a little Vaseline for 1-2 weeks.
The area will scab over and take a few weeks to heal. Once the scab has gone, the area is likely to look pink which should fade over time. After the scab has gone, gentle massage can help the healing and reduce the chance of scarring. If there is scarring, this should gradually fade with time.
You should protect the wound from the sun.
Who can have this treatment?
These procedures are well tolerated by adults. It is generally not recommended for children as the anaesthetic injection can be painful.
Are there any side effects?
Scarring can occur.
If there is any bleeding, press on the wound continuously and firmly, with a tissue or cotton wool, for 20 minutes.