At A Glance

Price:

From £1050 (excluding histology)

Expected Results:

Treatment of Minor Skin Conditions

Length of Surgery:

Up to 30 Minutes

Anaesthesia:

Local Anaesthetic

Recovery:

Usual Activities by 1 Week

What is Electrosurgery & Curettage

Electrosurgery and curettage are two very similar methods of treating skin lesions that are often used together.

Electrosurgery:

In electrosurgery (also known as ‘electrothermy’ or ‘electrocauterization’), a high-frequency, alternating electric current is passed through the skin using a diathermy machine to generate heat. The consultant carefully touches the diathermy machine to the skin lesion which heats up and destroys the tissue. The process may cause a slight burning or tingling sensation.

Curettage:

Curettage is a commonly used technique in dermatology due to its effectiveness and relatively low risk. This procedure involves scraping away the skin lesion a surgical instrument called a ‘curette’. The area is then cauterised using an electric needle to seal small blood vessels and to destroy any remaining cells. This technique is frequently used for superficial moles that are only attached to the very surface of the skin.

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The Consultation

Consultation

Electrosurgery and Curettage is frequently used in the treatment of superficial skin lesions. During your dermatology consultation one of The Day Clinic’s consultant dermatologists will discuss whether your concern is suitable for this form of treatment and if so, what the treatment involves.  Conditions which are suitable for electrosurgery and curettage include minor skin lesions such as skin tags and certain types of moles  and can sometimes be used for skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma. These types of treatment are frequently carried out as a ‘see and treat’ appointment.

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The Procedure

Procedure

Curettage is a medical procedure that involves the use of a curette, a small spoon-shaped instrument, to scrape or remove tissue from a specific area of the body. It is commonly performed in dermatology and other medical specialties for various purposes.

In dermatology, curettage is often used to remove superficial skin lesions or growths, such as warts, skin tags, or certain types of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to numb the area and minimize any discomfort.

During the procedure, the dermatologist or plastic surgeon uses a curette to carefully scrape away the targeted tissue. The depth of the scraping depends on the specific condition being treated. In some cases, the procedure may be combined with other techniques, such as electrocautery (using heat) or cryotherapy (freezing), to ensure complete removal of the lesion.

Curettage is generally a quick and straightforward procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting. After the tissue is removed, the wound is usually left to heal on its own or may be covered with a dressing or bandage. In some cases, stitches may be used to close the wound.

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Aftercare & Results

Aftercare

After your procedure, you will be given personalised aftercare guidance from your consultant. This will vary depending upon the procedure you’ve had. It is very important that you follow the aftercare advice to achieve the optimum results.

If a dressing has been applied after the procedure you will be given instructions on how to look after the area and change the dressing.

It’s important to keep the wound clean and dry and to follow any specific instructions you’ve been given regarding wound care.

You may wish to manage any pain or discomfort you feel with painkillers such as paracetamol. If your pain is not manageable or you have any concerns, we can advise you how best to proceed.

Your consultant may want you to attend a follow-up appointment to monitor the healing process and see how your recovery is going or to discuss the results from your treatment.

This treatment may result in a scar, but there are steps you can take to minimise its visibility. Massaging the area regularly for a few minutes at a time can help the scar tissue to soften, producing a nicely faded scar. Your consultant will advise you when to start this and how to go about it. We also advise using a high SPF sunscreen on the area for around 12 months after your procedure.

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What our clients think

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Dr Misha Zee Malik 2 months ago
Lovely experience . Dr abood was very kind and reassured me well before the procedure
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Neil Francis 3 months ago
The Day Clinic staff and Dr Abood were exceptional. Greeted with a smile, offered a drink while I waited for my appointment, on time and procedures explained with detail, super friendly. I went ahead on the day, having two moles removed. Aftercare explained and off I went. I wish I had it done sooner. Highly recommend

Thanks Dr Abood!

Plenty of parking and easy to find.
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Richard Davey 3 months ago
Very happy with the professionalism of the The Day Clinic staff and Dr Abood , everything was explained to me from start to finish of the procedure of the removal of my lipoma , which I’m very happy with.
The Day Clinic is very easy to find and plenty of parking available.
I would recommend Dr Abood to anyone wanting a procedure.
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Sally Marriott 3 months ago
I thoroughly recommend Dr Abood and his team. The Day Clinic is bright, super clean & modern. I felt informed, relaxed & looked after during my procedures
where I had a Lipoma and a small cyst removed from my face. I shall be returning next week to have my stitches removed.
The Day Clinic is also very accessible being on the outskirts of Cambridge.
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Kay Morland 3 months ago
Dr Abood and his team were recommended to me for his seamless minimal scaring small operations. I had a small op to remove a lump in a visible area. The operation was very seamless, quick and low fuss. Free parking, easy to find, and the team were extremely friendly and attentive. They made a real effort to squeeze me in in a short time frame which I really appreciated, and sent me away with an after care plan. The actual wound was extremely tidy and I felt the operation was extremely thorough and professional. I had an appointment to view and operate on the same day but I also know that if I had wanted to postpone the operation to have time to process what he had told me, they would have done so, and made every effort to make me comfortable moving forward.
Although I'm still to see the final healed result I would thoroughly recommend the day Clinic for small ops like mine.
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John Dowdell 3 months ago
No problems, would recommend. Operation was quick and painless. Recovery is not too sore.
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simon bowers 3 months ago
So terrific to be seen and treated quickly. I had 100% confidence in Dr Abood, both in terms of his professionalism and his communications to me as a patient.
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sharon wollaston 3 months ago
lovely clean professional treatment, care and information easy to understand and looked after very well
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Cheeze Muphinnz 4 months ago
Very pleased with my experience at The Day Clinic. The staff are all exceptionally kind and helpful, and the surgery went smoothly.
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Potential Risks

While electrosurgery and curettage are generally considered safe procedures, there are some potential risks and complications you should be aware of. These may include:

Infection

Any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection. Warning signs may include increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth or discharge from the wound. Most infections will present themselves around 9 days after a procedure and the treatment is usually a one week course of oral antibiotics. Should you have any concerns about the presence of infection we will be available to see and advise you accordingly.

Bleeding

Bleeding may occur during or after the removal procedure. In rare cases, excessive bleeding may require medical attention.

Scarring

Following any form of surgery there will be a scar. The extent of scarring can vary, and is dependent on your particular case and how you heal. We will do all we can to minimise the appearance of any unavoidable scarring.

Nerve Damage

In rare cases, if the lesion is particularly large or deep, surgical removal procedures may damage nearby nerves. This could lead to temporary or permanent numbness or altered sensation in the area.

Recurrence

With certain types of skin lesion there is a small risk of it coming back, also known as recurrence. If your surgery involved removal of a skin cancer we will advise an annual skin check with a skin expert to look for early signs of recurrence or other skin cancers.

 

Related FAQs

When do you recommend electrosurgery and curettage?

Electrosurgery and curettage may be recommended when the lesion is superficial and sitting on the surface of the skin. This means we do not have to cut into the deeper layers of the skin and therefore it is a less invasive procedure.

Will electrosurgery and curettage hurt?

This procedure is generally performed under local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort during the procedure. You may feel some pressure or pulling while the abnormal tissue is removed using the curette. The electric current used in electrosurgery may cause a slight burning or tingling sensation but this should not be painful. Following the procedure you may experience some mild discomfort or tenderness in the treated area, this can usually be managed with over the counter pain medication such as Paracetamol

Could my skin lesion return after electrosurgery and curettage?

Our aim is to effectively remove the skin lesion for you with permanent results. However, there is a possibility that a skin lesion can return after electrosurgery and curettage. The likelihood of this depends on the specific type of lesion and individual factors such as the size and characteristics of the lesion and the presence of any underlying conditions, as well as individual healing. We would only recommend this treatment when it is the most suitable method of treatment for your particular complaint and where we believe the likelihood of recurrence is low.

How long will the procedure take?

This depends of the size and location of the lesion but we would generally expect the procedure to take up to 30 minutes.

What is the recovery time after electrosurgery and curettage?

In general, the recovery time following E&C is usually relatively short. Once the local anaesthetic has worn off you may experience some mild discomfort  at the treatment site which is normally well controlled with simple painkillers. The area should typically heal within about 1 to 2 weeks during which time a scab or crust will forms over the treated area  andwill eventually fall off leaving new, healthy skin underneath.

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