In wide-local excision, the skin cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue around it is cut out, usually in a football-shaped ellipse. Once the tissue has been removed, the edges of the wound are sutured together. The tissue then is sent for processing and margin evaluation by a pathologist.

What is wide local excision surgery?

A wide local excision is a procedure in which a skin lesion and a surrounding margin of normal looking skin are removed (excised). If the skin lesion has already been removed in a previous diagnostic procedure, then the remaining scar and a margin of normal looking skin are removed.

How long does wide local excision take?

The operation usually takes 1 hour. You will also spend up to an hour on the Recovery ward immediately after surgery. When you return to the ward a nurse will regularly measure your pulse and blood pressure and will also check your wound dressings.