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Wide local excision is a surgical procedure used to remove a tumor along with a small portion of surrounding tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence. The amount of surrounding tissue removed depends on the tumor’s size.
This procedure is commonly used for:
Excisional biopsy
Skin
Surgical
Before the procedure, your doctor will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination. You will be asked about your current medications, allergies (especially to anesthesia), bleeding history, and any other medical issues. Be honest and thorough with your responses. The preparation may vary depending on the type of anesthesia used.
General Anesthesia: If general anesthesia is used, you will be advised to:
Local Anesthesia: If local anesthesia is used, no special preparation is needed. A good night’s sleep and eating healthy food are typically sufficient, though your doctor may provide specific instructions based on your health and current medications.
Wide local excision is an outpatient procedure, meaning no hospital admission is required. Typically, the procedure is performed while you are awake, but you will not feel pain due to the anesthesia. The surgeon begins by cleaning the excision site and administering either local or general anesthesia to numb the area. Once the area is numb, the surgeon removes the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue.
The wound is closed with sutures. If a large section of skin is removed, the surgeon may perform a skin graft, taking healthy skin from another part of your body to cover the wound. The removed tumor is sent to a pathologist for further analysis.
If sutures are used, you will need to return for a follow-up visit to have them removed, typically within a few days or a week after the procedure.
It is important to keep the treatment area clean and dry. Your skin may feel tender, but it will heal over time. Your doctor will provide instructions on how to clean the area, change the bandage, and apply any prescribed antibacterial ointment. You should also focus on drinking fluids and eating light, healthy foods during recovery. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice on when it is safe to resume normal activities.
Wide local excision is considered a minor surgery, and recovery typically does not take long. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days. While the skin around the treatment area may take some time to heal fully, it should not interfere with your daily activities.
Your doctor may prescribe pain relief medication after the procedure. If stitches were used, you will likely need a follow-up visit in one to three weeks to have them removed. If no stitches are used, a follow-up appointment may be scheduled in four to six weeks to check how the wound is healing. Further follow-ups may be necessary based on the condition of your wound and any side effects you may experience.
Although wide local excision is generally safe, it does carry some risks, as with any surgical procedure. These include: