Excisional Surgery

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Excisional Surgery - Cut & Close Basics

  • Definition: Surgical procedure involving full-thickness removal of a skin lesion, extending into the subcutaneous fat layer.
  • Purpose:
    • Diagnostic: To obtain tissue for accurate histopathological examination and diagnosis.
    • Therapeutic: For complete removal of various benign or malignant skin lesions.
  • Common Indications:
    • Malignant lesions: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), Melanoma.
    • Benign lesions: Epidermal cysts, Lipomas, symptomatic Nevi.

⭐ For suspected melanoma, excisional biopsy with narrow margins (typically 1-3mm) is the preferred initial approach for accurate staging.

Excisional Surgery - Pre-Op Power Plan

  • Patient Evaluation:
    • Thorough history (comorbidities, allergies).
    • Medication review: Focus on anticoagulants/antiplatelets (target INR < 1.5).
  • Informed Consent:
    • Essential: Discuss risks, benefits, alternatives; obtain signature.
  • Anesthesia Selection:
    • Local: Lignocaine (Max: $4.5 \text{mg/kg}$), with Adrenaline (Max: $7 \text{mg/kg}$).
    • Consider: Topical, field block based on lesion.
  • Site Preparation:
    • Antiseptic cleansing (povidone-iodine/chlorhexidine), sterile draping.
  • Lesion & Incision Marking:
    • Clearly outline lesion margins.
    • Plan incision along Langer's lines for optimal cosmesis. Langer's lines on anterior and posterior body

⭐ Adrenaline in local anaesthesia prolongs its duration and provides hemostasis, but must be used with caution in acral areas (fingers, toes, nose, penis) due to risk of vasoconstriction.

Excisional Surgery - Precision Slice Time

  • Types:
    • Elliptical Excision: Most common. Length:Width ratio 3:1 to 4:1; 30° angle at apices. Ideal elliptical excision diagram
    • Wedge Excision: For lip, ear.
    • Saucerization/Shave Excision: Superficial lesions (e.g., SKs, superficial BCCs).
  • Surgical Margins (mm): 📌 Mnemonic: "B3-5 S4-6 M-Depth"
    • BCC: 3-5mm
    • SCC: 4-6mm
    • Melanoma: Based on Breslow depth.
  • Instruments: Scalpel (#15 blade), forceps, scissors, curette.
  • Specimen Handling: Orient & mark for pathologist; appropriate transport medium.

⭐ The long axis of an elliptical excision should ideally be parallel to relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs) for better cosmetic outcome.

Excisional Surgery - Suture Smartly Now

  • Layered Closure: Essential for healing; uses deep (absorbable), dermal, and epidermal sutures.

  • Suture Materials:

    Suture TypeAbsorbabilityTensile Strength (Retention)Common Use
    VicrylAbsorbableGood (2-3 wks)Deep, Subcuticular
    MonocrylAbsorbableFair (1-2 wks)Subcuticular
    ProleneNon-absorbableExcellentSkin, Vascular
    NylonNon-absorbableGoodSkin
  • Suture Techniques: Simple interrupted, continuous (running), mattress (vertical/horizontal), subcuticular. Common Suturing Techniques

  • Alternatives: Skin staples, adhesive tapes, tissue adhesives (e.g., cyanoacrylates).

  • 📌 Suture Removal Times: Face: 3-5d, Scalp: 7-10d, Trunk/Limbs: 7-14d, Joints: 10-14d.

⭐ Eversion of wound edges during skin closure is crucial for minimizing scar depression and achieving a better cosmetic result.

Excisional Surgery - Aftercare Ace

  • Post-op Instructions: Keep wound clean & dry initially. Gentle cleansing as advised. Limit activity. Pain relief (e.g., paracetamol). Monitor for infection signs: redness, increasing pain, swelling, pus, fever.
  • Suture Removal Times: Face: 3-5 days; Scalp/Trunk: 7-10 days; Limbs: 10-14 days.
  • Complications:
    • Early: Bleeding, hematoma, infection, wound dehiscence.
    • Late: Scarring (hypertrophic, keloid), nerve damage, recurrence.
  • Follow-up: Crucial for monitoring healing and detecting late complications; schedule as advised.

⭐ Prophylactic antibiotics are generally not required for routine excisional surgery in healthy individuals but may be considered for high-risk sites or patients.

Table: Common Early Complications & Management

ComplicationKey Signs/SymptomsManagement Approach
HematomaLocalized swelling, pain, bruisingSmall: observation; Large/Expanding: drainage
Wound InfectionErythema, warmth, pus, ↑pain, feverWound care, antibiotics (oral/IV), may need drainage
Wound DehiscenceSeparation of wound edgesAssess cause; re-suturing, secondary intention healing

Flowchart: Managing Suspected Wound Infection

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Indications: Malignant lesions (BCC, SCC, melanoma) and symptomatic/cosmetic benign lesions.
  • Surgical margins are crucial for malignancy (e.g., 3-5 mm for BCC).
  • Elliptical excision along RSTLs with a 3:1 length-to-width ratio for optimal scarring.
  • Layered closure (deep and superficial) minimizes tension for better cosmesis.
  • Key complications: infection, bleeding, hematoma, dehiscence, adverse scarring.
  • Primarily uses local anesthesia (lidocaine ± epinephrine).
  • Adequate hemostasis pre-closure prevents hematoma_._

Practice Questions: Excisional Surgery

Test your understanding with these related questions

Wound contraction can be most effectively minimized by:

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Flashcards: Excisional Surgery

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When excessive amounts of granulation tissue protrude above the level of the surrounding skin and blocks re-epithelialization, the lesion is called as _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

When excessive amounts of granulation tissue protrude above the level of the surrounding skin and blocks re-epithelialization, the lesion is called as _____

exuberant granulation

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