When is excision possible?
The method is suitable for single small lesions in areas with a sufficient supply of mobile skin. The depigmented area is excised completely, and the defect is covered with adjacent normally colored skin - a linear scar remains in place of the spot instead of a white spot. A prerequisite is a stable stage of vitiligo: if the process is active, new lesions appear, including around the postoperative scar (Köbner phenomenon), and the result is lost. Therefore, before surgery, observation by a dermatologist and confirmation of stability for at least a year are required.
Removal of benign skin lesions
Lipoma (“wen”), atheroma, hygroma and fibroma are benign formations that do not resolve on their own. While they are small, removal takes 20–30 minutes and leaves minimal scarring.
As the formation grows, the operation becomes more complicated: the incision increases, the risk of suppuration and relapse increases if the capsule is not completely removed. Therefore, postponing intervention is inappropriate.
Why is histology important?
An externally benign formation in rare cases turns out to be malignant. Histological examination of the removed material is a mandatory standard that gives an accurate answer about its nature.