Electrodessication and curettage is a surgical method that combines cutting and electrocautery. It can be used to remove cancerous and non-cancerous tumors close to the skin. The target skin growth is removed by scraping it with a curette (a surgical instrument) followed by electrosurgery to cauterize the surrounding tissue to prevent extensive bleeding. The advantage of electrosurgery is that bleeding stops very quickly because the cut areas are burned. This often results in less scarring.
- Effective treatment for skin growths
- High cure rate for small cancers
- The procedure is very brief
- No sutures are used
- Short recovery time
As with any type of surgical procedure, there will be a risk of infection or unwanted hypertrophic or keloid scarring. This may be a consideration when removing harmless but unwanted skin growths for cosmetic purposes.