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Information from Your Family Doctor

Minimal Excision Technique for Removal of an Epidermoid Cyst

Am Fam Physician. 2002 Apr 1;65(vii):1423-1424.

What is an epidermoid cyst?

An epidermoid cyst is a benign (not cancer), slow-growing peel growth that results from injury to a hair follicle in association with acne, from a defect in the skin or from injury to the skin beneath the peel surface. The cyst contain a cheesy yellow textile. Rupture of the cyst tin release some of the cheesy cloth into the skin, resulting in a reaction that produces redness, tenderness and swelling.

Where are epidermoid cysts usually found on the trunk?

Epidermoid cysts commonly appear on acne-prone areas of the face up, neck and upper body. Cysts may also be plant on the scrotum, behind the ears or on the scalp. Epidermoid cysts are rarely found on the fingers, palms of the easily or soles of the feet. Miniature epidermoid cysts (chosen milia) tin develop in skin that is injured or scraped.

Are there any issues or complications associated with epidermoid cysts?

Ruptured cysts can cause pare scarring and discomfort. Rarely, cysts tin can develop an associated pare cancer. Epidermoid cysts are oftentimes a corrective problem or a cause of embarrassment for people. One of the major problems comes from growths that appear to be benign epidermoid cysts only are actually more aggressive skin tumors.

What is the minimal excision technique?

This simple, effective surgical procedure removes the cyst wall and the cheesy material within the cyst. If the entire cyst wall is removed, the chance of the cyst coming back is low. A tiny cut is made in the skin following the administration of local anesthesia (numbing medicine). The cyst contents are squeezed out and the cyst wall is pulled through the tiny skin opening. The pare opening is and so small that sutures (stitches) are oftentimes not needed to close the wound.

Is the minimal excision technique always successful in removing the cyst wall?

The doc may not exist able to pull the cyst wall through the small peel incision. Cysts that have been inflamed or previously ruptured may have all-encompassing scarring around the cyst wall and exist more hard to remove. If the cyst wall can't be removed, your doctor will perform a standard removal technique through a larger incision.

Following Minimal Excision of Epidermoid Cyst

  1. Your doctor will ask you to use your hand to hold direct, firm pressure on the site later the process. Because no deep stitches are placed in the wound, it is important that pressure level be practical so blood will non collect where the cyst was.

  2. Antibiotic ointment will be applied to the wound immediately after the procedure. Antibiotic ointment should be practical daily until the wound is completely healed.

  3. Some gauze may be taped over the surgery site, unless the cyst was on your scalp. If the gauze becomes soaked with blood, apply business firm pressure over the expanse and change the gauze. If the bleeding continues despite the pressure level, call your doctor. The gauze tin be removed the morning afterwards your procedure, and the site tin be covered with an adhesive cast.

  4. Some wounds will have a clear or xanthous fluid drainage afterwards this procedure. The drainage is fairly mutual after the removal of large cysts. This drainage usually stops within 1 week after the surgery. If pus drainage is noted, peculiarly if the wound is red or tender, phone call your doc.

  5. You tin can take a shower 36 hours after the process. You tin take a bath once the wound has completely healed. Do not take a bathroom or swim while the wound remains open, or if fluid drainage is noted. Vigorous concrete activity can be resumed 1 week subsequently your process.

  6. Occasionally, a pocket-sized piece of cyst wall may remain beneath the skin, and the cyst can reform. If yous find a lump or cyst at or near the original surgery site, return to exist examined past your doctor.

  7. If stitches are used to shut your wound, you will be asked to return to the office to have them removed in 7 to x days.

  8. Report any issues, such as infection or bleeding, to your doctor.

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This handout is provided to you by your family dr. and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related data is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a full general overview and may not use to everyone. Talk to your family medico to find out if this data applies to you and to become more information on this subject.

Copyright © 2002 by the American University of Family unit Physicians.
This content is owned past the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make i printout of the fabric and may employ that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This textile may not otherwise exist downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether at present known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact afpserv@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests.

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