Riccarton Clinic has a dedicated room in which to perform minor procedures. Typically it is used following accidents to perform wound closures, with or without sutures, but the room is also used for the removal of minor skin lesions such as moles and other skin blemishes.
A related service provided is biopsy allowing samples to be sent for investigation.
If closure of a wound is decided upon a number of techniques can be used. These include bandages, a cyanoacrylate glue (like SupaGlue), staples, and sutures. Absorbable sutures have the benefit over non absorbable sutures of not requiring removal. They are often preferred in children.
Adhesive glue and sutures have comparable cosmetic outcomes for minor lacerations <5 cm in adults and children. The use of adhesive glue involves considerably less time for the doctor and less pain for the person with the cut. The wound opens at a slightly higher rate but there is less redness. The risk for infections (1.1%) is the same for both. Adhesive glue is not used in areas of high tension or repetitive movements, such as joints or the posterior trunk.
Skin Lesions should be brought to the attention of your GP for assessment. There are many types of benign lesions that can be diagnosed clinically or by punch biopsy. Lesions up to a certain size may be removed at Riccarton Clinic and sent for investigation to confirm their status. GPs performing the removal of skin lesions have received specific training in this respect from Burwood Hospital. At Riccarton Clinic we also provide this service for other general practices and patients can be referred here. There is funding available, in certain circumstances, to reduce the cost of having skin lesions removed.
One of our GPs, Dr Joanne Alward, has specific training and experience with the removal of suspected skin cancer and your normal GP may refer you to her for an opinion before excision – both to confirm a diagnosis but also to avoid the cost to you if unnecessary. Results of investigation are normally available within a few days and will be communicated to you.
