What Is Shave Excision?
The word “shave” means to remove hair from one’s head. It comes from the Old English shafian which meant to cut or shave off hair. The term was used in reference to cutting off body parts such as fingers, toes, ears and even whole limbs. When applied to surgery it refers to removing dead tissue through surgical incisions made into the skin. The practice of shaving is still practiced today in some cultures, especially those with a history of having extensive contact with the medical profession.
In modern times, the term “excision” has come to refer to any type of surgical procedure involving cutting out tissue or organs. A surgeon may perform shave excision to treat cancerous growths or tumors; it may also be done for cosmetic reasons like reducing wrinkles.
Types Of Surgery To Remove Body Parts:
Excision – Removal of body parts.
Mastectomy – Removal of the female reproductive organs.
Ovaryectomies – Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Liposuction – Removing fat from the abdomen and thighs.
Spine Excision -Removal of spinal cord injury or tumor.
Shave Excision Tools:
There are a wide variety of tools that a physician may use for surgical excision. The decision as to which tools will be used will generally be based on the size and location of the growth and the experience of the surgeon performing the procedure.
Surgical excision can be done in an operating room or in an outpatient center which provides medical procedure services.
Surgical tools used for surgical excision can include but are not limited to:
Scalpel – A sharp knife-like instrument used to cut a skin lesion out.
Bovie – A device which uses electricity to cut off skin growths.
Needle Holder – Used to hold needles in place during surgery.
Forceps – Used to hold or manipulate tissues or organs.
Scissors – A cutting instrument used to sever tissues.
Retractor – Holds tissues apart to expose the area for surgery.
Claw Toe Spreader – Used to pull the skin away from the lesion.
Shave Excision Before And After:
Shave excision is a procedure in which a physician removes a skin growth by cutting it out. The growth is cut out so that all the tissue underneath it is also removed.
It is called shave excision because only a thin layer of skin is taken off with the growth, minimizing scarring. Depending on the size and location of the growth, a physician may use a scalpel to make an incision around it. He or she will then numb the area with an injection of local anesthetic, making the procedure less painful. Using a scalpel, the physician will remove the skin growth. The edges of the cut are then stitched up with dissolvable stitches. In most cases, a bandage is applied.
Shave excision is typically used to treat skin tags, moles and other non-cancerous lesions. It is often used in conjunction with other procedures such as cryosurgery or laser surgery to completely remove all cancerous cells.
It is considered a minor surgical procedure and can be performed in an outpatient surgical facility or a doctor’s office. Patients can return to normal activities as soon as the stitches are removed, which usually occurs after about a week. There may be some scarring, but it will be minimal.
Shave excision is often the least expensive way to remove benign skin lesions. It is also generally less painful and has less potential for side effects than other methods, such as cryosurgery.
However, shave excision may not be as effective for treating lesions on the eyelids or other sensitive areas. In addition, since the growth is simply cut out, there is a chance of recurrence.
Shave Excision Risks:
There are few risks associated with shave excision. In some cases, the growth may be deeper than it appears to be and cutting it out may result in some damage to nerves or structures underneath the skin.
In more severe cases, this may cause issues with vision or even lead to blindness in the area where the growth was removed. There is also a small chance that shave excision will not remove all of the cancerous cells, leading to a possibility of recurrence. While there are few risks involved with this procedure, any potential risks should be discussed with a physician before the procedure.
Shave Excision Recovery:
Following a shave excision, it is common for the area to be red and swollen for the first few days. A crust will form over the incision site, which should be gently washed with lukewarm water.
A small bandage or piece of tape may be applied over the wound to keep it closed. Other than this, there will not be much discomfort and most patients are able to go about their everyday activities immediately following the procedure. Any stitches that are used will dissolve within a matter of days and patients can then apply a new bandage or have the area looked at again by a medical professional if necessary.
As previously mentioned, shave excision is primarily used to treat skin tags, moles and other benign lesions on the skin. It is effective because it causes minimal damage to the surrounding area and offers a relatively fast recovery time.
For more serious conditions, such as skin cancers or other abnormal lesions, it is necessary to consult with a physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Sources & references used in this article:
Deep shave excision of macular melanocytic nevi with the razor blade biopsy technique by T Gambichler, E Senger, S Rapp… – … surgery, 2000 – Wiley Online Library
Pyogenic granuloma–treatment by shave-excision and/or pulsed-dye laser by AR Sud, ST Tan – Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2010 – Elsevier
Treatment of verrucous hyperplasia and verrucous carcinoma by shave excision and simple cryosurgery by CJ Yeh – International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 2003 – Elsevier
Excision of benign pigmented skin tumours by deep shaving by JM Porter, J Treasure – British journal of plastic surgery, 1993 – Elsevier
Recurrent dysplastic nevus following shave excision by PH Duray, VA Livolsi – The Journal of dermatologic surgery and …, 1984 – Wiley Online Library
Pseudomelanoma: recurrent melanocytic nevus following partial surgical removal by R Kornberg, AB Ackerman – Archives of dermatology, 1975 – jamanetwork.com
Curettage and shave excision: A tissue-saving technic for primary cutaneous carcinoma worthy of inclusion in graduate training programs by NA Brooks – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1984 – Elsevier
