Electrodesiccation and Curettage | Kalon Dermatology

Electrodesiccation

Electrodesiccation and curettage is a popular semi-surgical treatment used to remove skin lesions, sometimes associated with types of skin cancer (basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer). These skin lesions can be the product of a number of issues such as warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancers and squamous cell skin cancers.

How is Electrodesiccation and curettage done? The procedure is essentially a surgical treatment to scrape away certain harmful skin tissue, that has been affected by infection or disease. Initially a local anesthetic is injected into the treatment area, then using a curette the abnormal cells are removed. The skin is scraped away until reaching an undamaged layer.

Once reaching the “fresh” skin layer, electrosurgery is performed using a small, metal instrument that dulls the area, effectively cauterizing the wound in the process. The new skin layer will heal on its own, and after some time the skin is renewed, without the presence of the former skin issue.

In cancer patients, this treatment is far less effective if the cancer has reached a deeper level of skin or if the cancer is in its advanced stages. Depending on the treatment area and reason for treatment, we will go over a more detailed outline of the procedure, specific to you.