Minor Surgery
You must be referred by your GP to undergo a minor surgical procedure. Typically, this will involve the removal of a cyst or skin lesion.
Minor Surgery at Moatfield is done by either Dr M Patel or Dr B Forrest with assistance from a Healthcare Assistant. Before the surgery, they will discuss the nature of the procedure, options and the risks and benefits associated.
You will be informed of any postoperative wound care, and if required stitch and dressing care. Sometimes we are able to use dissolvable stitches that don't require removal, but this isn't appropriate for every wound. You will be asked to make an appointment with an appropriate member of our NAHPS Team if your stitches require removal, or if you require follow up wound care appointments.
What can we deliver on the NHS?
The commissioners of health services in Sussex have revised the type of minor surgical procedures that will be funded by the NHS in our are. A total of 18 different procedures are no longer funded.
This means that we will not be able to offer NHS Minor Surgery for certain conditions that we previously performed here at the Surgery, including benign/harmless skin lesions such as skin tags, moles, warts, skin cysts and fatty lumps (lipomas).
NHS treatment is only allowable if one or more of the criteria set out by the commissioners apply:
- There is repeated infection requiring two or more courses of antibiotics in the past year
- The lesion bleeds in the course of normal everyday activity
- The lesion cuases regular pain limiting normal everyday activity
- If left untreated, more invasive intervention would be required for removal
If you wish to recieve minor surgery at Moatfield Surgery for a lesion or skin condition that is no longer funded under the NHS, we can arrange for this to be performed on a private basis.
These are some examples of Minor Surgery we can perform on the NHS, or can perform privately.
| Procedure | Available at Moatfield on the NHS | Available Privately at Moatfield |
|---|---|---|
| Excision of a benign skin lesion that is irritating / rubbing / catching | No | Yes |
| Excision of a benign skin lesion that causes pain that limits normal every day activity | Yes | No |
| Removal of a sebaceous cyst that is unsightly or uncomfortable or has been infected once or twice | No | Yes |
| Removal of a sebaceous cyst that has been infected more than twice and required antibiotic treatments | Yes | No |
| Excision biopsy skin of low risk pigmented lesions | No | No |
| Excision of seborrhoeic keratosis | No | Yes |
| Shave of skin tags | No | Yes |
| Excision of ingrowing toenail | Yes | No |
| Excision of ingrowing toenail (private patients, NOT registered at Moatfield) | No | Yes |
Private Minor Surgery Fees
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Excision of a Cyst / Lipoma / Benign Skin Lesions | £200 |
|
2 lesions |
additional £50 |
|
3 lesions |
additional £100 |
|
4 lesions - (30 mins required) |
additional £200 |
| Excision of Skin Tags | £75 |
| Ingrowing Toenail (Private patients only, NOT Registered Patients) | £275 |
How long does Minor Surgery take?
This will depend on how complex the procedure is and the site of the lesion. Surgery can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. We do our best to anticipate when a procedure may take longer and book appropriate time, however please be patient if there is an unavoidable delay.
Pre-Operative Advice
- Please wear appropriate clothing
- You may bring a friend or relative if necessary
- Please wash on the day of your operation
- Do not shave the area - this increases your risk of infection
- Eat a good breakfast on the day of the operation
- Do not stop any medication, especially blood thinners unless specifically instructed to do so by the GP Surgeon.
- EG. Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole or Warfarin
- Most people can drive following surgery, but you may wish to arrange alternative transport if the lesion is on your hands or feet.
Please inform the GP Surgeon if you:
- Have any known allergies, especially to anaesthetics
- Have a pacemaker or similar implanted device
- Have any metalwork or joint replacements
- Have problems with lying flat for up to thirty minutes
- Have problems with wound healing or suffer with any medical conditions that may affect the wound eg. Diabetes or Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Would prefer a Chaperone
Worried Something Has Gone Wrong?
Inflammation
It is normal to experience redness around the wound margin/stitches and is part of the healing process. Typically, this will settle in around 5 days.
Infection
If redness or swelling gets worse after the operation, or you have green/yellow discharge then you may have an infection. Please contact the surgery on 01342 327555 or 111 Out of Hours. You do not always require antibiotics for a mild infection.
Bleeding
It is common for there to be a small amount of bleeding after the procedure. It is usually sufficient to apply 10-15 minutes of direct pressure to stop the bleeding. It is also helpful to keep the affected area elevated. If the bleeding continues after 15 minutes, please contact the surgery or 111 as above.
Fainting
Please advise the GP Surgeon if you feel sick or faint following the procedure. They will treat you, typically by lying you down and raising your legs. You may need to be observed for a little while before going home.
Anaesthetic
It is rare to have an allergy to anaesthetics, but if you have had a previous reaction please advise the GP Surgeon.
Adrenaline in the anaesthetic can cause palpitations (heart racing). If this has happened before, we can exclude the adrenaline. If it occurs it is likely to wear off after a few minutes, but you may need to be observed for a short while before you can go home.
Scarring
It is inevitable after any minor surgery procedure that you may have a faint scar. Occasionally, thick scars can occur (keloid scars) as a result of your individual tendency to form scar tissue. Some areas of the body are more likely to form keloid scars than others (eg. front of the chest, upper arms and back).
Nerve Damage
Small nerves can be cut if a large area of skin is removed, which causes numbness and sometimes pins and needles. In most cases this settles with time but can leave a numb area around the scar.
Wound Care Information
Below is some information to help you continue to manage your wound healing.
- If your wound has a dressing, keep this clean and dry until your next appointment as directed.
- You can wash after 24 hours, but please ensure you dab the wound dry afterwards.
- If your wound no longer requires a dressing, keep clean and dry.
Allow water to wash over this gently, no direct high pressure water to the wound until it is fully healed and do not directly rub or wash with perfumed soaps or moisturisers until fully healed. When drying the wound, dab gently, do not rub with any pressure. - If your wound shows signs of infection, please contact the surgery as soon as possible, or contact 111 Out of Hours.
- Signs of infection include; pain, heat, swelling, redness, offensive smell, thick yellow or discoloured discharge around the wound site. Or if you are feeling unwell in yourself.
- If you are prescribed antibiotics where clinically needed for the wound, take as prescribed and ensure you finish the course.
- Avoid swimming with all wounds, due to risk of infection and delayed healing. Once wounds have been healed for 4 weeks (dependent on the wound) this can be considered, ensuring healed wounds are dried carefully after.
If you have any concerns or problems, please contact the surgery.
Last Updated 30/05/2024