Local Surgical Procedures
Short answer: Local surgical procedures are minor operations done in the clinic under local anaesthesia, numbing only the treated area, without general anaesthesia. Most people go home the same day. Removed tissue is sent for pathology when needed.
Which procedure for which complaint?
| Complaint | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Discharging openings and recurrent swelling at the tailbone | Laser pilonidal sinus treatment or phenol application |
| A mole changing in shape, colour or size | Mole removal |
| Small stalked skin growth on the neck, armpit or eyelid | Skin tag removal |
| Warts (HPV) on the hands, feet, face, genital or anal area | HPV (wart) treatment: laser |
| Soft, mobile lump under the skin | Lipoma removal |
| Red, painful, inflamed swelling | Abscess drainage |
| Wide, tight or depressed scar | Scar revision |
| Burning and bleeding on passing stool, an anal tear that does not heal | Botulinum toxin (Botox) for anal fissure |
Procedures
- Laser pilonidal sinus treatment: Cleaning the tracts and closing them from the inside with a laser fibre. Surgery comes first for recurrences, very extensive sinus openings and cases where laser has not worked.
- Endolaser for lipoedema: Laser assessment of disproportionate fat and skin laxity of the legs and arms in lipoedema under local anaesthesia.
- Phenol for pilonidal sinus: Closing the tracts with phenol; in early-stage disease with no previous surgery it can be used alone or combined with laser.
- Mole removal: Removing the mole and sending it for pathology when needed.
- Skin tag removal: Removing stalked skin growths in a short procedure.
- HPV (wart) treatment: laser: Removing HPV warts by laser vaporisation under local anaesthesia.
- Lipoma removal: Removing a lipoma that is bothersome or growing.
- Abscess drainage: Draining the infected fluid through a small incision, followed by dressings.
- Scar revision: Improving the appearance and function of a scar.
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) for anal fissure: Temporarily relaxing the internal anal muscle to help the tear heal.
What happens on the day?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic; most procedures take 15–60 minutes. Afterwards you receive dressing instructions and a follow-up date. If you take blood thinners, do not stop them on your own; this is discussed at consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Will there be a scar?
Every surgical procedure leaves a scar; incision direction and suturing technique aim to make it as inconspicuous as possible.
Is the removed tissue examined?
Moles and suspicious lumps are sent for pathology.
Can I return to work the same day?
For most procedures, desk work can resume the same or next day; details vary by procedure.
Related articles
Laser, phenol or surgery for pilonidal disease? ↗
General patient information. Individual treatment is planned in consultation.