Skin tumours and scar corrections

Skin tumour removal (dermatologic surgery) is among the most frequently performed procedures in a plastic surgeon's practice.

Due to their high visibility, facial skin tumours are often a source of concern for patients. Certain additional benign conditions can be treated with laser, cryotherapy (freezing) or other dermatological treatments. Benign tumours and certain malignant tumours, pigmentary lesions (naevi), cysts and lipomas (fat globules) should be surgically removed. Using the latest advances in plastic surgery, the plastic surgeon can ensure that the skin tumour removal causes minimal scarring. Plastic surgeons can also help minimise the scarring from skin tumour removals elsewhere on the body.

Most skin tumours are removed under local anaesthetic. For certain malignant tumours, frozen section analysis (cryosection) is used during the surgery. The pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to determine whether the tumour has been completely removed before the plastic surgeon proceeds with reconstructing the wound. Only in exceptional cases will large skin tumours be removed under general anaesthetic.

By respecting the skin tension lines on the face, using atraumatic techniques for the skin flaps, choosing appropriate sutures, and applying expert plastic surgery techniques, skin tumours can now be removed with relatively minimal visible scarring. Scars will remain as red lines for a while, but will fade over time. Your surgeon may also recommend that you use certain scar creams and wear temporary UV protection. Scar correction is also possible.

Scars caused by trauma, burns or previous procedures can often be improved by plastic surgery (scar correction). However, the scar cannot be completely removed. It is best to wait a year before having a scar corrected, as a scar can spontaneously improve considerably over the first year.

Latest publication date: 13/08/2024
Supervising author: Dr Vertriest Rudolf