Removing Benign Skin Lesions (under Local Anaesthetic)
This document will give you information about removing benign
skin lesions. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What are skin lesions?
Skin lesions are found on or just below the skin. Examples of
skin lesions are epidermoid cysts, lipomata, skin tags and
moles.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Surgery is the only way to remove skin lesions reliably but you
may simply leave them alone.
What does the operation involve?
The operation usually takes between fifteen and twenty five
minutes. When removing an epidermoid cyst, your surgeon will make
an elliptical cut over the cyst and will then cut it out (see
figure 1)
Figure 1: Epidermoid cyst and typical cut made
to remove it
To remove a lipoma, your surgeon will make a straight cut in the
skin directly over it. The lipoma is freed up from the tissues and
removed. A skin tag can simply be numbed with local anaesthetic and
then removed. When removing a mole, your surgeon will cut all the
way around it using an elliptical cut.
What complications can happen?
General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (wound)
- Unsightly scarring
- Wound breakdown, if the skin fails to heal
Specific complications
- Wound breakdown, if the skin fails to heal
- A lipoma or an epidermoid cyst can come back
- A larger operation may be needed
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home a short while after the
operation.
You should be able to return to work the following day unless
your work will put a strain on the stitches. It is unusual for
these procedures to restrict any daily activities you carry
out.
Summary
Skin lesions are common and can be treated by surgery.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Ayan Banerjea FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Mr Simon Parsons
DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
Illustrations: Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
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