How do you perform an Electrodessication and curettage?

Scraping or burning-off skin growths (also known as electrodesiccation and curettage) can be used for less serious skin cancers, pre-cancers and benign growths. A local anesthetic is injected, and then the abnormal tissue is scraped off with a special tool. The area is then cauterized until bleeding stops.

How is Electrodessication done?

The Procedure A needle-shaped electrode is used to deliver a high frequency electric current to super heat a pinpointed area of the skin. This pen-like device is fitted with a metal probe at the tip, which is placed close to the skin so that electricity can flow to and heat the targeted area.

How long does it take for Electrodessication to heal?

It can take up to 4-6 weeks for your wound to heal completely (2-3 months to completely heal on the lower extremities). Initially some oozing from the site is normal. The wound is healed when there is no longer a crust on the site or drainage on the bandage.

What is electrosurgery and curettage?

Surgery Overview Curettage is the process of scraping skin with a spoon-shaped instrument (curette) to remove skin tissue. Electrosurgery is the burning of skin tissue with an electric current that runs through a metal instrument or needle.

What is the procedure to remove squamous cell carcinoma?

Mohs surgery is the most effective technique for removing SCCs, sparing the greatest amount of healthy tissue while achieving the highest possible cure rate – up to 97 percent for tumors treated for the first time.

What is the meaning of Electrodessication?

(ee-LEK-troh-deh-sih-KAY-shun) The drying of tissue by a high-frequency electric current applied with a needle-shaped electrode.

Is an excision surgery?

Excisional surgery or shave excision is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of growths, such as moles, masses and tumors, from the skin along with the healthy tissues around the tumor. The doctor uses this technique to treat skin cancers, where they use a scalpel or razor to remove the tumor.

Is ED&C a surgery?

Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) is a surgical procedure used for decades to removal certain skin lesions such as warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancers and squamous cell skin cancers. First a small injection of local anesthetic is placed.

How are plantar warts removed?

Your doctor cuts away the wart or destroys it by using an electric needle (electrodesiccation and curettage). This procedure can be painful, so your doctor will numb your skin first. Because surgery has a risk of scarring, this method usually isn’t used to treat plantar warts unless other treatments have failed.

What happens if you don’t remove squamous cell carcinoma?

Untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can destroy nearby healthy tissue, spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, and may be fatal, although this is uncommon. The risk of aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may be increased in cases where the cancer: Is particularly large or deep.

What do you need to know about electrodesiccation and curettage?

Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) is a procedure well-known to dermatologists for the treatment of benign and superficially invasive neoplasms (Table 12.2 ). It involves a sequence of curettage followed by electrodesiccation applied in two to three repetitions to the lesion.

When to use electrodesiccation and curettage for warts?

So, treatments and electrodesiccation procedures can step in to speed up the process and prevent the further development of a wart. This includes curettage, which can be used for shallow warts and even some plantar warts and is sometimes preferred over to other treatments due to the speed of the procedure.

How is a curettage and desiccation used for skin cancer?

A curettage and electrodesiccation, also known as a curettage and desiccation, is a skin cancer treatment used to remove basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. During the procedure, your doctor will scrape the affected skin surface with a curette (a spoon-shaped instrument).

Is there a cure rate for BCC with electrodesiccation?

Although it is a fast and cost-effective technique for superficial lesions, it does not allow histologic margin assessment. Observational and retrospective studies have reported overall five-year cure rates in patients with BCC who were selected for C&E.