Moles are benign neoplasms that appear on the human body even before puberty. In medicine, they are called nevus. Most often, moles do not cause discomfort, but in some cases, under the influence of various adverse factors, they can degenerate into malignant neoplasms. If there is at least a minimal likelihood of developing oncology, doctors recommend removing the nevi. In addition, sometimes they are a cosmetic defect. You can get rid of them on your own. Currently, there are several methods for removing moles. Electrocoagulation is the most modern and safe. In addition, with proper care, scar tissue does not form on the body.
Electrocoagulation: the essence of the method
Excision of moles occurs using a special medical device. During operation, the device generates an electric current that has a pronounced thermal effect on living tissues. The field itself is transmitted using the manipulator. It can have tweezers, a scalpel, or a loop at the end. In other words, an electrode. With its help, the doctor cuts the mole in layers or immediately as a whole.
Many patients are interested in why electrocoagulation of moles is preferable than, for example, their surgical excision. It is important to understand that after surgery in all cases a scar remains. In addition, there is a higher risk of bleeding and infection. During electrocoagulation of a mole, a strong thermal effect is exerted on the nevus. Due to this, the risk of complications is minimized.
Indications
Most often, patients turn to dermatologists with a request to remove the mole due to the fact that it gives them psychological discomfort. Aesthetic reasons are currently the most common.
Medical indications for the removal of moles by electrocoagulation:
- An increase in nevus in size, but no more than 1 cm.
- Change in the shape of the neoplasm.
- The mole is located in such an area of the skin that is subject to constant injury from clothing, jewelry, etc.
Doctors recommend thinking about excising a nevus in patients who have a history of serious pathologies of the endocrine system. Their progression often causes the degeneration of moles into malignant neoplasms. In addition, a hereditary predisposition is a significant provoking factor. At risk are people whose close relatives suffered from skin cancer.
Benefits
According to medical reviews, the removal of moles by electrocoagulation is the most modern and safe way to excise the nevi.
Advantages of the method:
- Efficiency. After removal, the neoplasm will never appear again.
- Aesthetics. During the procedure, excision of healthy surrounding tissues does not occur. After the recovery period is over, smooth skin without scars remains on the site of the mole.
- Security. The risk of complications is minimized.
- Availability. Electrocoagulation of moles is cheaper than excision, for example, with a scalpel.
- The duration of the procedure is only a few minutes.
- The ability to control the depth of the electrode.
- Hemorrhage is excluded.
- Minimal risk of infection.
In addition, the procedure is not associated with the occurrence of discomfort. Immediately before removing the mole, the doctor introduces the anesthetic into the desired area.
Contraindications
Electrocoagulation is a medical procedure. It is prescribed not to all patients.
Contraindications to the removal of moles by electrocoagulation:
- Suspicion of the development of the oncological process. In other words, the mole has already begun to degenerate into a malignant tumor.
- Individual intolerance to electric current.
- The presence of pathologies, the course of which affects the blood coagulation process.
- Allergy to local anesthetics.
- The tendency to form pathological scars.
The following contraindications are relative: herpes in the acute stage, the presence of infectious diseases.
Training
Before removing a mole, consult an oncologist. The doctor examines the nevus at the reception, evaluates its contours and sizes. In addition, the specialist palpates the mole in order to determine its density and consistency. Most often, the study of the nevus is carried out using magnifying optics that emit polarized light.
Even with the slightest suspicion of atypia, the doctor draws up a referral for a comprehensive examination, including:
- A blood test (both general and biochemical).
- Coagulogram.
- Blood test for tumor markers.
Based on the diagnostic results, the oncologist can draw up a biopsy referral.
Procedure Algorithm
The patient enters the doctor’s office and is placed on the couch. He chooses a position based on which part of the body the nevus is located (for example, if it is in the abdomen, the person lies on his back and frees the necessary area from clothes).
Methodology of the procedure (photo of electrocoagulation of a mole is presented below):
- The doctor treats the nevus and the tissues around it with an antiseptic solution.
- The specialist introduces an anesthetic subcutaneously. If the mole is very small in size, the doctor uses drugs in the form of a cream.
- The specialist burns the mole in whole or in layers using an electrode.
- The doctor treats the resulting wound with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Immediately after the procedure, the patient can begin his daily activities. According to numerous reviews, electrocoagulation of a mole is well tolerated in most cases. This is due to the fact that during the removal of the nevus does not cause pain. The patient can only catch a faint smell of burnt skin.
Recovery period
After removal of the mole by electrocoagulation, a dry crust forms on the skin. This is a scab under which the process of forming a new healthy tissue is going on.
Rules of conduct for the patient during the recovery period:
- Do not wet the crust with water and do not try to tear it off yourself.
- In the first days after electrocoagulation of a mole, the appearance of minor painful sensations is possible. In this case, it is permissible to stop them with anesthetics.
- It is forbidden to apply decorative cosmetics to the scab, especially for patients who have had their nevus removed from their faces. If the wound is on the trunk or limbs, it is undesirable to use even a shower gel. Recommendations regarding skin care are provided by a dermatologist. As a rule, the doctor advises taking a shower using baby soap.
- Until the crust disappears, it is forbidden to visit the pools, saunas and baths. Swimming in open water is also unacceptable.
- Reduce the intensity of physical activity to a minimum. This is due to the need to reduce the amount of sweat.
- For two months, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. This can trigger hyperpigmentation.
The recovery period is, on average, 1 month. During this time, the scab disappears, and in its place remains smooth skin with a slightly pinkish tint. Over time, the tissues acquire a natural color.
How to handle a wound
Care after electrocoagulation of a mole should be correct. The pharmaceutical market has a lot of tools designed to treat wound surfaces. Unless the doctor recommended otherwise, the scab and the area around it can be lubricated with the following drugs:
- Levomekol. This is a combination agent with powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and wound healing properties. The active component of the drug relieves pain, relieves swelling and redness. Levomekol is recommended to be used 1 time per day for four days. The tool must be applied to the gauze tissue, after which the latter is fixed on the wound.
- "Contractubex". The active components of the drug contribute to the normalization of the regeneration of damaged skin. The tool has antiproliferative, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. Against the background of the use of "Contractracts", there is a suppression of scar formation. The gel must be applied daily. If the wound is large, it is recommended to apply a bandage soaked in gel at night.
- "Fukortsin." This is an analogue of potassium permanganate solution. After applying it, the scab acquires a characteristic dark pink color. The solution has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Handle the wound surface with a cotton swab. Ingestion of the solution on the mucous membranes should be avoided. Handle a fresh wound 1 time per day for three days.
In addition, dermatologists often prescribe the following agents:
- "Tetracycline."
- "Agrosulfan."
- Levosin.
- "Solcoseryl."
- "Baneocin."
- Pantoderm.
With the formation of purulent exudate, it is recommended to make lotions with Vishnevsky ointment.
Possible complications
In the absence of proper care, the removal of moles by electrocoagulation can lead to negative consequences.
Possible complications:
- Joining an infection.
- Hyperpigmentation.
- The formation of scar tissue instead of epithelial.
- Keloid formation.
To reduce the risk of complications to a minimum, you need to contact only highly qualified doctors. In addition, it is important to responsibly care for the wound surface throughout the recovery period.
Cost
The price directly depends on the policy of the chosen medical institution, the size of the mole and the number of nevi that the patient wants to get rid of. On average, removal of the neoplasm up to 1 cm in diameter costs 2000 rubles. For the same amount, the doctor can send biological material to the laboratory for histological examination. This analysis is optional.
Finally
Nevuses are neoplasms of a benign nature that appear on the skin before puberty. They can have different sizes and shapes. Under the influence of various adverse factors, moles can degenerate into malignant neoplasms. Even with minimal risk of developing the oncological process, doctors advise to remove suspicious nevi in advance. Currently, the safest way to excise is electrocoagulation.