Procedural & Surgical Dermatology
Procedural and surgical dermatology involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of selected skin, hair, and nail conditions using medical procedures and minor skin surgery. These procedures may help diagnose persistent skin conditions, remove abnormal skin growths, treat infections, reduce inflammation, or manage selected benign and suspicious skin lesions.
Common procedures may include skin biopsy, cryotherapy, electrocautery, intralesional injection, and minor procedural treatment for selected skin lesions. Procedures are usually performed under appropriate local anaesthesia in a clinic or hospital setting depending on the condition involved.
Common Procedural & Surgical Dermatology Services
Mole Assessment
Assessment of moles and pigmented skin lesions to evaluate for concerning changes in colour, size, shape, asymmetry, or irregular borders. Certain lesions may require monitoring, dermatoscopy assessment, skin biopsy, or removal depending on clinical findings.
Skin Biopsy
A skin biopsy is a commonly performed dermatology procedure used to help diagnose persistent, unusual, or unclear skin conditions. A small skin sample is taken under local anaesthesia and sent for laboratory analysis to assist diagnosis and treatment planning. Common reasons for skin biopsy may include: * persistent skin rash * autoimmune skin disease * chronic eczema * psoriasis * skin tumours * suspicious pigmented lesions
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses controlled freezing treatment, usually with liquid nitrogen, to treat selected superficial skin lesions. Common indications include: * viral warts * seborrhoeic keratosis * skin tags * actinic keratosis Temporary blistering, redness, or pigmentary change may occasionally occur after treatment.
Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery uses controlled electrical energy to treat selected skin growths and superficial lesions. It may be used for removal of benign skin lesions, treatment of certain warts, or control of bleeding during minor procedures.
Intralesional Injections
Intralesional injections involve injecting medication directly into affected skin lesions to reduce inflammation or abnormal scar formation. Common conditions treated include: * keloids * hypertrophic scars * alopecia areata * selected inflammatory skin conditions
Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer screening involves assessment of suspicious skin lesions, changing moles, non-healing wounds, or abnormal growths. Early assessment may be important for selected skin cancers and precancerous lesions. Features that may require further assessment include: * rapid growth * bleeding lesions * colour change * persistent ulceration * irregular borders
Wart Treatment
Warts are common viral skin infections that may affect children and adults. Treatment options depend on the type, location, and extent of the wart. Common treatment options may include: * cryotherapy * electrosurgery * topical treatment * procedural removal in selected cases
Skin Tumour Excision
Skin tumour excision involves minor surgical removal of selected benign or suspicious skin growths. Removed tissue may sometimes be sent for histopathological examination depending on the lesion involved. Common lesions may include: * cysts * lipomas * skin tumours * suspicious skin growths * selected moles
FAQ
Procedural Dermatology Consultation
Different skin lesions and conditions may require different procedural approaches depending on the diagnosis, location, symptoms, cosmetic considerations, and individual patient factors.
Patients experiencing persistent, changing, symptomatic, or concerning skin lesions may benefit from proper dermatological assessment before deciding on treatment options.
