Skin Surgery

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The purpose of this unit is to have a web-based, readily-accessible learning tool for medical students and residents to learn and improve their performance of the skin surgery techniques of shave excision, punch biopsy, and elliptical excision.

Medical students will find this information useful during clerkships in which they participate in skin surgery procedures. Residents will find it helpful during outpatient procedure rotations or during routine clinical visits by patients needing skin surgery (FPO2).

Components of the unit include:

  • The indications for skin surgery and how to choose between the three techniques of shave excision, punch biopsy and elliptical excision.

  • How to prepare the patient for the skin surgery procedure.

  • Detailed illustrated instructions on shave excision, punch biopsy, and elliptical excision.

  • How to provide the appropriate patient after-care following the skin surgery procedure.

  • How to document and bill for the skin procedure.

  • Links to useful resources and references.

Disclaimer: The University of Michigan Health System Web site does not provide specific medical advice and does not endorse any medical or professional service obtained through information provided on this site or any links to this site.

Use of the UMHS web site does not replace medical consultation with a qualified health or medical professional to meet the health and medical needs of you or others.

While the content of the UMHS web site is frequently updated, medical information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies or typographical errors.

Note: This module was originally developed by U-M Department of Family Medicine faculty member Randall T. Forsch, M.D., M.P.H., in 2007. It is also maintained by Dr. Forsch. Last updated: May 2014.

Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Details and Exceptions. © 2014 University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine.

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