Excision of skin & soft tissue lesions

A wide variety of lumps and growths are removed, including epidermoid cysts (blocked glands that have formed a sac under the skin), lipomas (soft fatty lumps), sebaceous cysts, pilonidal sinuses (a cyst near the tailbone or between the buttocks), perianal lumps (growths near the back passage), atypical moles, and soft tissue tumours.

For small or shallow lesions, the procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic — you are awake and the area is completely numbed, so you feel pressure but no pain. Larger or deeper lesions may need a short general anaesthetic. Everything removed is sent to pathology (a laboratory) for analysis, so you know with certainty what it was.

• An epidermoid or sebaceous cyst (a pocket of fluid or keratin under the skin) that keeps getting infected, is growing, or is bothering you
• A lipoma (a soft, moveable fatty lump) that is causing discomfort or you simply want removed
• A lump that needs a biopsy — it is removed completely so it can be fully examined under a microscope
• A pilonidal cyst or sinus — a pocket or tunnel near the tailbone or in the crease between the buttocks that keeps getting inflamed or infected
• A perianal lump — such as a persistent skin tag, anal wart, or other growth near the back passage
• Any soft tissue lump that needs both diagnosis and treatment in one go

• Removes the problem and gives you a definitive answer at the same time — pathology is performed on everything that is excised
• Most small lesions need only local anaesthetic — you stay awake, go home the same day, and need minimal time off
• When the cyst wall is removed intact, the recurrence rate is low
• Incisions are planned with the cosmetic result in mind, aligned with natural skin creases where possible
• If pathology unexpectedly finds something that needs further attention, you will be guided through the next steps with a clear plan

• Wound infection — occurs in about 3–5% of cases overall, and can be higher for lesions near the back passage or groin where keeping a wound dry is harder. Most infections are treated with a short course of antibiotics and heal well.
• Haematoma (a collection of blood under the wound) — affects around 1–3% of patients and usually resolves on its own, though occasionally needs drainage
• Recurrence — if a cyst wall ruptures during removal, some cells may remain and the cyst can grow back over time. Care is taken to remove the sac intact to minimise this.
• Wound breakdown — more common in wounds near the back passage or groin; heals more slowly but does heal
• Scarring — every skin incision leaves a scar; with careful closure this is generally minimal and fades well over 12–18 months
• Unexpected findings on pathology — in a small number of cases, what looked benign turns out to need further treatment. If this happens, you will be contacted promptly with a clear explanation of what it means and what the next steps are.

If you take blood thinners, diabetes medication, GLP-1 weight-loss injectables, or iron supplements, please flag this when you book — these need specific adjustments before the procedure. Full details are in the guide above.

• At consultation, the lump is examined and an ultrasound scan may be requested beforehand to understand its size, depth, and character before operating
• For most skin lesions, no bowel preparation is needed — there are no special diet restrictions
• Before you sign consent, the risks and what to realistically expect are explained — this includes wound healing and the small possibility of the lesion coming back

• Most small lesions on the trunk, limbs, or back are excised under local anaesthetic in the consulting rooms. Larger or deeper lesions, and any perianal lesions, are done at Warringal Private Hospital or Epworth Eastern under sedation or a short general anaesthetic — the perianal area is too sensitive for local anaesthetic alone. Local anaesthetic is injected to numb the area — from this point you should feel pressure and movement but no pain
• The incision line is marked to plan the best approach for access and the neatest scar possible
• The lesion is removed with a small rim of normal tissue around it; for cysts, care is taken to remove the sac whole so it cannot grow back
• The wound is closed in layers with fine stitches, finishing with a neat internal skin closure that does not need to be removed
• The removed tissue is labelled and sent to the pathology laboratory
• A dressing is applied, and you will be given clear written instructions on how to care for the wound at home

• Day 0–1: Some mild aching around the wound is normal; regular paracetamol is usually all you need
• Days 1–3: You can return to light normal activities. Keep the wound dry for the first 48 hours — no soaking in the bath or swimming pool yet.
• Full healing: Expect 2–4 weeks for the wound to heal completely, depending on its size and location. Wounds near the back passage or groin take a little longer.
• If pathology shows something that needs further treatment, you will be contacted promptly with a clear explanation of what is needed and why — you will not be left waiting and wondering
• A post-operative review is routinely arranged 2–6 weeks after your procedure, with timing depending on the type of operation — this review is provided at no charge
• For day-by-day guidance on wound care, dressings, when to shower, and what is normal during healing, see the General post-operative aftercare guide on the Resources page.

Post-operative concerns: Please call our rooms on (03) 9816 3951 and leave a message — this will be sent directly as a text to Mr Nguyen. Alternatively, you may text the office mobile on 0499 090 126. We aim to respond promptly during business hours.

Emergencies: For any life-threatening emergency, call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a call back from our rooms. For the Austin Hospital Emergency Department: (03) 9496 5000.