Curettage and cauterization

What is curettage and cauterization?

Curettage and cauterization is a type of electrosurgery in which a skin injury it is scraped off and heat is applied to the surface of the skin.

What does curettage and cauterization involve?

Your doctor will explain why your skin injury needs treatment and the procedure involved. You may have to sign a consent form to indicate that you agree to the surgical procedure. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines, or if you have allergies or medical conditions.

The doctor will inject some local. anesthetic in the area surrounding the injury to be treated. This will make the skin numb, so there will be no pain during the procedure. You may feel a pushing sensation, but this shouldn't be painful. The skin lesion is scraped off with a curette, which is like a small spoon with very sharp edges.

The injury should be sent to a pathology Analysis laboratory. The wound surface is cauterized with a hot wire tip or an electrosurgical unit (diathermy). This stops the bleeding and helps destroy the remaining skin. tumor cells.

This procedure is generally repeated twice to evil one skin lesions (serial curettage and cauterization).

A bandage may be applied and instructions should be given on how to care for your wound.

What types of skin lesions can be treated with curettage?

Curettage is suitable for treating injuries in which the material being scraped off is softer than the surrounding skin or when there is a neckline plane between the lesion and surrounding normal tissue. The following can often be treated with curettage:

• Seborrheic keratosis
• Viral warts
• Scaly cell carcinoma in the place
• Pyogenic granuloma
• Actinic keratoses
• Basal cell carcinomas
• Keratoacanthoma

• Skin tags.

Basal cell carcinomas that are large, deep, or recurrent They are generally not suitable for curettage. Lesions with poorly defined borders are also generally inappropriate.

I will have a scar?

Curettage often results in some type of scarring, especially if it is accompanied by cauterization.

Curettage scars are generally flat and round. They are similar in size to the original skin lesion. Some people have an abnormal response to skin healing and these people may have larger than usual scars (keloids and hypertrophic scars)

How do I care for the wound after skin curettage?

The wound may be tender when Local anesthesia undress.

• Leave the bandage in place for 24 hours or as recommended by your doctor. Avoid strenuous exertion and stretching of the area.
• If there is bleeding, press the wound firmly with a folded towel without looking at it for 20 minutes. If you still bleed after this time, seek medical attention.

Keep the wound dry for 48 hours. You can then gently wash and dry the wound. If the wound becomes red or very painful, see your doctor. There are no stitches to remove after curettage.

The curettage wound will take approximately 2-3 weeks to heal. The scar will initially be red and raised, but it usually reduces in color and size over several months.