During a previous visit to the dermatologist, you were diagnosed with a form of skin cancer that requires treatment. An outpatient appointment has been scheduled for surgical treatment and/or cryotherapy.
The doctor will discuss your preferred treatment with you.WHAT DOES THE SURGICAL TREATMENT INVOLVE?After you have taken your place on the treatment table, the area to be treated will be cleaned with a disinfectant. Then, a local anesthetic will be administered via injection. The injection will feel like a burning sensation. After the anesthetic has been applied, you will no longer feel any pain, but you will be aware of the doctor's work. The area to be operated on will be covered with a sterile drape, which you should not touch.
The procedure takes approximately 20-45 minutes.REMOVING SUTURESIf you had facial surgery, the stitches will be removed after a week. Elsewhere on the body, the stitches will be removed after two weeks. You will receive an appointment for this at the Dermatology clinic, but you can also have this done by your general practitioner.WHAT IS A CRYO TREATMENTThis method uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. After anesthesia, as described above, the malignant tissue is scraped away, which can be an unpleasant sound. This scraping creates a wound, which is frozen twice in succession, with a short pause in between to allow the area to thaw. You won't feel the freezing itself. You may feel some splashing on the surrounding skin, but this is harmless.THE CRYO TREATMENT CLOSE TO THE EYEYou will receive a local anesthetic next to your eye and an anesthetic eye drop. A cap will be placed on your eyeball to protect it, which is uncomfortable but not painful.
This will be followed by the cryotherapy procedure, as described above. After the freezing process, the cap will be removed.
Your eye will be covered with an eye shield for a week. You will not be allowed to drive during this time. You will receive a prescription for an eye ointment to use twice a day. You will return for a checkup after a week.THE TREATMENT OF THE LOWER LEGWounds on the lower leg generally heal very slowly. To promote healing, you will receive a bandage from your toes to the back of your knee after one of the above-mentioned treatments. You should wear this bandage for as long as the wound persists or as long as the stitches remain in the wound. Because of this bandage, it is advisable to wear slightly looser shoes.WHAT AWAITS YOU AT HOMEThe cryotherapy treatment has left you with a small wound that you need to dress daily. First, clean the wound with water. You may also shower, then dress it with:
- a wound dressing according to the instructions
- gauze
- a bandage.
Depending on the treatment site, its size, and the duration of the cryotherapy, healing can take two to nine weeks. The cryotherapy can cause swelling within a few hours, particularly in the face. This swelling will disappear after a few days.
If you experience severe redness around the wound, persistent pain, or foul-smelling wound fluid, which could indicate an infection, please contact the dermatology clinic.WHAT TO DO IN NAPIJNIf you experience any after-pain, you may take a painkiller (preferably paracetamol), but do not take aspirin due to the risk of post-operative bleeding.THE POST-INSPECTIONThe treated area and the rest of your skin should be checked regularly. Depending on the type of skin cancer, this check-up will last from three to ten years. This check-up will take place at the AMC or with the dermatologist who was already treating you.A FEW MORE COMMENTSIf you are taking blood thinners, please inform your doctor beforehand, preferably when making an appointment.
Some patients require antibiotics for surgery due to heart defects, etc. If this applies to you, please inform your doctor beforehand.
Indicate any allergies (e.g., iodine, red bandages)!
A possible consequence of the procedure is bruising, especially with facial surgery, which usually also involves swelling.
A complication is infection, which manifests as pain, swelling, redness, and pus from the wound.
If you experience any problems (postoperative bleeding, severe pain, or an infection), contact the hospital.
You can also consult your general practitioner. |
