Mole Excision
A mole is usually a pigmented lesion of the skin that may have been present since birth, developed through time as individuals age or as a result of sun exposure. It may appear in any area of the body but it is more noticeable on the face. There are several treatment options for pigmented lesion of the skin. They include laser treatment, dermabrasion, chemical peeling, and surgical excision. Most plastic surgeons prefer to have the mass excised and the specimen submitted for histopath analysis. This is done to rule out the malignant nature of the mass, which would require a more aggressive and invasive treatment. Incision lines are usually oriented along the natural folds of the body or face to ensure that the resulting scar would be inconspicuous and fade with time. Patients must be informed that there may be resulting scars as a result of the surgery. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia at outpatient surgery clinic. Non-absorbable sutures are usually used because they have better results compared to absorbable suture materials. Suture are removed on the fourth to seventh day after the operation. The patient may experience minor swelling and bruising which eventually subsides after seven to ten days.