Surgical Dermatology

Dermatology Specialists of Greater Cincinnati offers surgical services to treat a wide range of skin conditions.

Below are some of the surgical procedures that we provide.

SKIN BIOPSY

A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope. Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the abnormal area of skin. The tissue is then processed and examined under a microscope to diagnose skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, skin cancer, and infections of the skin such as ringworm.

SKIN CANCER EXCISION

Skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma can be treated with surgical excision. This involves numbing the area with local anesthesia and surgical removal of the lesion in office. 

MOLE REMOVAL

Both benign and atypical moles and birthmarks can be removed by surgical excision in the office. Atypical moles may require surgical excision with stitches. Benign moles may be removed with surgical excision or shave removal.

CRYOSURGERY

Cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen to freeze skin tissue and is used to treat many skin conditions including warts, pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, sun spots, benign age growths called seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, and other skin conditions.

Electrodessication and Curettage (EDC)

Electrodestruction is a term used to describe the use of electricity to cause thermal destruction of tissue. Curettage is a term to describe the use of a sharp curette to remove superficial skin cancers. This is often used in the treatment of certain types of skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. 

Benign Growth REMOVAL

There are numerous benign growths such as cysts, lipomas, seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, angiomas, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and milia. The removal of your benign growth will largely depend on the type of growth, location, and background skin color. Most growths can be removed via:

  • Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy): freezing the growth can cause it to crust and fall off

  • Electrodessication: lightly burning the growth

  • Extraction: lancing the surface of the growth to express its contents

  • Shave removal: scraping the growth using a blade

  • Surgical excision: cutting into the growth to remove it, which often requires stitches

Many health insurance companies do not cover the treatment of benign skin growths or moles, because they are often deemed “not medically necessary”. We will always discuss coverage and cost with you at your visit if they are considered cosmetic.

We have appointments for new and established patients. Schedule yours now!