How should I care for my procedure site(s)?
Keep your bandage in place for 24 hours
After removing your bandage, please perform the following steps daily until your wound is completely healed:
Gently clean the site(s) with mild soap and water.
Add a small amount of Vaseline to your biopsy site(s).
Place a small bandage or dressing over wound(s).
If stitches were placed, continue these steps after sutures are removed and until the wound is completely healed. After 48 hours, the wound can be left un-bandaged.
If no stitches were placed, the wound should be kept covered with Vaseline and a bandage until the wound is completely healed. Bandages should be changed 1-2 times daily. Biopsy sites not closed with stitches can become quite tender, especially if allowed to dry out. It is normal for biopsy sites to ooze a clear or mildly bloody fluid for many days after the biopsy.
If the wound develops a central yellow film with a pink rim, this is a normal part of the healing process.
Call the office if the wound develops green or yellow drainage or if the surrounding area becomes red and swollen, or if red streaks are seen around the wound. Call the office if fever develops after biopsy. Our office can be reached at: 479-876-8550 or after hours at 479-426-4373.
What should I do to achieve the best healing results?
Follow wound care instructions above.
No swimming until wound is healed.
Avoid smoking.
Avoid sun exposure.
Avoid strenuous exercise, especially if wounds are stitched.
For lower leg biopsies, elevate legs when possible.
When should I call the office?
Call the office if you experience pain, fever, drainage of pus, or severe itching.
Please Note: Your biopsy will be processed by our trusted histology laboratory and examined by a board-certified dermatopathologist. As a general rule, a final pathology report will be issued approximately 2 weeks after receipt of your biopsy. Please note, in some cases, as determined by the dermatopathologist or your clinician, special tests and/or a second opinion may be required, possibly delaying final results for 3-4 weeks. In these cases, you and/or your insurance may expect to receive an additional charge from an outside laboratory facility. If you have questions or concerns after hours, please call our on-call provider at 479-426-4373 for assistance-be sure to leave a message, you will be called back. During normal business hours you can call 479-876-8550.
Normal pathology results will be reported via the patient portal. If your biopsy requires no further treatment, you should be able to log into the patient portal ~2 weeks after your biopsy for results. If your pathology is abnormal or requires further treatment, you will be contacted by phone with results.