Surgical mole removal, also known as mole removal with stitches, is the procedure of excising moles, sun spots, vascular moles, or other lesions that may raise suspicion during an examination, or even moles that are not suspicious but are planned to be removed for cosmetic reasons, with a small incision. All excised moles are sent for pathological examination.
The number of moles usually starts to increase during childhood and continues to develop until the age of 30. As a person gets older, the moles may fade in color or completely disappear.
However, certain changes may be signs of malignant transformation, so it is important to be cautious. If any of the following occur in our moles: shape change, asymmetry, rapid growth or elevation, itching, bleeding or crusting, irregularity on the edges, color fading or change from the original color, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist for evaluation.
Surgical mole removal is performed by cutting the skin with a scalpel, excising the entire mole along with a surrounding area of healthy skin, and sending it for pathological examination. The procedure is carried out under sterile conditions in an office setting. Before the mole removal, the area to be treated is completely numbed with an injection containing local anesthesia. Then, the mole is excised with a scalpel, and the skin is removed. A few stitches are placed to ensure proper healing of the area, followed by dressing and closure of the wound.
The area where the mole will be removed is completely numbed with an injection containing local anesthesia before the procedure. Therefore, it is a completely painless process except for the initial injection.
After the procedure, the stitched area should not be exposed to water for 2 days. If bathing is necessary, waterproof bandages, which can be purchased from pharmacies, can be used to cover the area. After the 3rd day, the dressing is removed, and an antibiotic cream is applied daily. The antibiotic cream should be applied 1-2 times a day until the stitches are removed. If the biopsy area is in a body part that is not very hygienic or will be exposed to water frequently, a closed dressing may be used for further protection. Depending on the biopsy location, stitches are typically removed between the 7th and 10th day.
Like all medical procedures, this one also carries some potential risks. These include bleeding, wound infection, scarring, allergic reactions to the anesthetic used, and pain at the wound site. However, these are very rare occurrences, and if there is any suspicion, it should not prevent mole removal.
When surgical mole removal is performed by the right professionals and with the correct method, even if the excised mole is cancerous, it will not trigger the spread of the condition. On the contrary, in a proper procedure, since the suspicious mole is completely removed, treatment for the condition also begins. Therefore, if your doctor has recommended a skin biopsy, please do not hesitate and get the procedure done without delay.
In any surgical procedure performed on the skin, since an incision is made and stitches are applied, it is not possible to achieve a completely normal skin appearance. However, the procedure is usually about 1-1.5 cm wide, and if you do not have a risky genetic predisposition, the scar will not be larger than this. In most patients, after one year, the biopsy scar returns to normal to the point where it is barely noticeable.
Skin biopsies are usually analyzed, and results are available within 7-10 days. However, if any risky conditions are detected during the examination, additional tests may be required, which could extend the results to up to 3 weeks.
For pricing information and to schedule an appointment for surgical mole removal procedures at our clinic in Istanbul, you can reach us at the phone number 0(544) 194 56 29.