Skin

SkinHealth UK
Diagnostics and referrals

Miss Hunter carried out her MD research degree in the early detection of Skin Cancer at Cambridge University, she is a Senior Consultant within the SkinHealth UK network, seeing patients referred regarding lesions of concern and the removal of moles.

Once you have been referred for a skin surgery procedure, this will involve removing a sample of skin to examine. The type of procedure you will have depends on the nature of your skin condition but it will be one of the following detailed below. Please note that it is possible that these skin surgery procedures may be performed under local anaesthetic but in the case of larger moles, these may not be able to be removed by either of the following methods and may require general anaesthetic and complex surgery with reconstruction.

Excision Biopsy

The whole lesion is removed, including a surrounding area of normal skin; stitches are used to close the wound.

Punch Biopsy

A small circle of skin is removed, usually the size of a lentil, a stitch is used to close the wound.

Local Flaps

This procedure involves tissue being freed and rotated from an adjacent area to cover the defect. You will be given a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic, depending on the size and location of the affected area.

Scar Revision

Scar revision is surgery to improve or reduce the appearance of scars. It also restores function and corrects skin changes (disfigurement) caused by an injury, wound, poor healing or previous surgery.

Skin Grafts

A skin graft is where healthy skin is removed from an unaffected area of the body and is used to cover lost or damaged skin. The skin graft will usually be held in place using stitches, staples, clips or special glue. The area will be covered with a sterile dressing until it has connected with the surrounding bloody supply, which usually takes around 5 – 7 days.

Please download our information sheet in plenty of time prior to your skin surgery procedure as it contains vital information to be adhered to prior to the above skin surgery taking place.

For more information:

Sophie Freud / Practice Manager
sophie.freud@hunterplasticsurgery.com
Tel: +44 7980 307829