Skin biopsy
Description skin biopsy
Skin biopsy – removal of a small portion of abnormal skin. Remote skin checked, to find the cause of the abnormality. There are three main types of skin biopsies:
- Britvennaya biopsy – the outer part of the suspicious area of skin to be removed;
- Punktsionnaya biopsy (trepanobiopsiâ) – a small cylinder of skin is removed with a special tool;
- Эkstsizionnaya biopsy – Deletes the entire area of abnormal skin.
Causes of skin biopsies
A skin biopsy is used to evaluate and / or remove the area of abnormal skin. This is often done for the following reasons:
- To diagnose bacterial, viral or fungal infections, cancer, inflammatory skin diseases (eg, psoriasis), or benign skin tumors;
- To check the status of normal skin at the edge of the area, where a tumor was removed;
- To monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Possible complications of skin biopsies
Complications are rare, but no procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. If you plan a skin biopsy, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:
- Bleeding;
- Infection;
- Poor wound healing;
- Scarring;
- Nerve Damage.
Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications:
- Smoking;
- Immunosuppression;
- Blood clotting;
- Circulatory problems.
How is the skin biopsy?
Preparation for the procedure
This procedure does not need any special training.
Anesthesia
It can be used local anesthesia. This numb the area biopsy.
Procedure skin biopsy
- When shaving biopsy from the skin cut off a thin slice of it;
- Punktsionnaya biopsy skins – hollow instrument is slightly pressed into the skin. When you press down the tool will be rotated, to penetrate the skin. This type of biopsy provides a selection of the sample, containing cells from all layers of the skin. Depending on the size of excision, They can be stitched, to close the opening;
- Эkstsizionnaya biopsy – It will use a scalpel, to remove the entire area of abnormal skin. This method can cause large and deep cuts in the skin. On the cut closed with stitches.
After the procedure, in place of biopsy is often applied a patch or bandage, to help keep the wound closed.
How long does it take a skin biopsy?
5-20 minutes.
Skin biopsy – Will it hurt?
On-site selection of the skin after the procedure, there may be some temporary pain and discomfort.
Care after a skin biopsy
Keep biopsy area clean and dry. If there was apply a sterile dressing, it needs to be changed every 1-2 day. If the patch was applied, it will disappear by itself within a week.
Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the cut by water. Wipe dry after washing the wound with soap and water. Do not submerge the wound in water, until it is well healed.
If necessary, Take pain medicine.
Sutures remain in the skin for 3-14 days, whichever, where they are located. Ask the doctor, when can we expect the results of the biopsy.
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
Contact your doctor when skin biopsies
After returning home, you need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
- Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding, or any discharge from the incision;
- Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
- Other painful symptoms.
