11403 Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm

Name of the Procedure:

Excision of a benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm.

Summary

This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign (non-cancerous) lesion, including a margin of healthy tissue around it, from the trunk, arms, or legs. The excised area is between 2.1 to 3.0 cm in diameter.

Purpose

The primary goal of this procedure is to remove benign growths that may cause discomfort, cosmetic concerns, or have the potential to become malignant. Outcomes typically include alleviation of symptoms and prevention of future complications.

Indications

• Presence of a benign skin lesion causing pain, bleeding, or irritation.
• Cosmetic concerns due to the lesion's appearance.
• Diagnostic uncertainty where removal allows for histopathological examination.
• Lesions that have shown changes in color, size, or shape.

Preparation

• The patient may need to avoid certain medications like blood thinners.
• Fasting isn't usually necessary, but following specific pre-operative instructions provided by the healthcare team is essential.
• Pre-procedure assessment includes a physical examination and possibly imaging studies or a biopsy.

Procedure Description

1. The patient is positioned comfortably, and the lesion site is cleaned and sterilized.
2. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area.
3. Using a scalpel, the surgeon excises the lesion along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue.
4. The excised tissue is sent for pathological examination.
5. The surgical site is then closed with sutures and bandaged.

Duration

The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the lesion's size and location.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in an outpatient clinic, a hospital's minor surgical suite, or a specialized surgical center.

Personnel

• A trained surgeon or dermatologist
• Surgical nurse or medical assistant
• Anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist (if general anesthesia is required, though local is more common)

Risks and Complications

• Common risks: Infection, bleeding, scarring.
• Rare risks: Adverse reaction to anesthesia, damage to surrounding tissues, incomplete excision requiring additional surgery.

Benefits

• Effective removal of the benign lesion.
• Alleviation of symptoms such as pain or irritation.
• Improved cosmetic appearance.
• Definitive diagnosis through histopathological examination of the excised tissue.

Recovery

• Post-procedure care includes keeping the wound clean and dry, and following the surgeon's instructions on wound care.
• Stitches are typically removed within 1-2 weeks.
• Typical recovery time is around 1-2 weeks, with restrictions on heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
• Follow-up appointment to assess wound healing and discuss pathology results.

Alternatives

• Monitoring the lesion if asymptomatic and not causing issues.
• Non-surgical removal methods like cryotherapy or laser treatment.
• Pros of alternatives: Less invasive, quicker recovery time.
• Cons of alternatives: May not be suitable for all lesion types, risk of recurrence, and may not provide a definitive diagnosis.

Patient Experience

• During the procedure, the patient will feel a slight prick from the anesthesia injection and should not feel pain during the excision itself.
• Post-procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort or pain at the surgical site, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
• It's common to feel some discomfort for a few days following the procedure, and proper wound care is crucial to ensure a smooth recovery.