Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is a commonly performed Dermatosurgical procedure which is essential for confirmation of diagnosis or eliminate suspicions surrounding the development of any malignant conditions.

In this procedure, a sample of 2-4 mm in size is taken and sent for pathological processing and diagnosis.

It can be :

1. Diagnostic: when clinical diagnosis is not possible or doubtful
2. Prognostic: in lupus erythematosus – Lupus Band test
3. Therapeutic: Excision biopsy in Nevi, Granuloma annulare

Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery mainly utilizes the heat generated in skin when various voltages of current are passed through it. Here, electricity is used to cause thermal destruction of tissue through dehydration, coagulation and vaporisation.

Intralesional Injections

1. An intralesional injection is the direct injection of a therapeutic substance into a lesion or in to the skin with an aim to deliver high concentration of medicines to maximise efficacy and minimizing systemic adverse effects of the drug.
2. Intralesional steroid injections are standard treatment for many skin diseases including keloids, hypertrophic scars, alopecia areata and circumscribed plaques of dermatitis.

Vitiligo Surgery- Mini Punch Grafting

• Vitiligo surgery aims to achieve complete repigmentation that cosmetically matches the surrounding normal skin.
• Punch grafting is a full-thickness grafting procedure used in Vitiligo treatment for a long time.
• Procedure: punch grafts are harvested using skin punches of 1.5 to 2.0 mm from the donor area over the thighs, buttocks, posterior auricular area or medial aspect of upper arm and are grafted in to recipient sites created by same sized punches used for donor harvesting.
• Possible complication include Cobblestone skin texture, spotty pigmentation and rarely infections at donor or recipient sites.

Cyst Removal (Sebaceous cyst/Trichilemmal cyst/Epidermoid cyst)

1. These are formed by the collection of dead skin/sebum/hair under the skin.
2. The scalp, ears, back, face and upper arm are the common sites of sebaceous cysts, though they may occur anywhere on the body.
3. Treatment involves surgical excision of the cyst by removing the sac and its contents to prevent any recurrence.

Lipomas

1. Lipomas are subcutaneous tumours of adipose tissue presenting as soft compressible lesions.
2. They are completely benign tumors and require no treatment unless causing pain or cosmetic problems.
3. Lipomas can be removed by small incisions surgery with good cosmetic outcomes.

Nail surgery

1. Nail surgeries are performed on the nails for the treatment of ingrown toenail causing pain and disability.
2. The completely/partially removed nails grow within 3-6 months.

Ear Lobe Surgery

• Ear lobe surgery is a simple surgical procedure performed to restore the appearance of ear lobes that have been torn or stretched due to ear tearing/ trauma/ piercing.
• Surgery can be done with an intact hole or re piercing can be done after 6-8 weeks.

Acne Surgeries

COMEDONE EXTRACTION

• It is the most widely used method of treatment for acne vulgaris which includes extraction of blackheads (open comedones) using gentle pressure around the pore opening and whiteheads(closed comedones) by pricking with a large needle.
• Possible negative effects of a procedure include incomplete extraction and scarring.