Skin surgery - shave excision

Shave excision

Indication: the main use of a shave excision is the treatment of proud benign skin lesions that catch and bleed, eg benign melanocytic dermal naevi.

Technique: local anaesthetic is best injected into the lesion directly, as this is less uncomfortable, and it makes the lesion less mobile and so easier to operate on. A size 10 blade is used for larger lesions and 15 for smaller lesions, an alternative is a DermaBlade. In most cases the lesion should be shaved flush with the skin, and the bleeding stopped with cautery. On the face, scars are more likely to be indented and so the lesion is best shaved 1-2 mm above the skin surface, and then the cautery, used for haemostasis, can also be used to make the wound flush with the skin surface. All samples should be sent for histology. The patient should be asked to apply Vaseline BD for a few days to aid in wound healing.

For detailed information refer to the PCDS surgical guidelines.