procedures

• biopsy


  piece of tissue removed to examine under microscope

  used to aid in diagnosis
• excisional biopsy


  entire suspicious area of tissue removed for examination
• exfoliative cytology


  scraping cells from tissue and then examining them under a microscope
• frozen section


  thin piece of tissue cut from frozen specimen for rapid examination under a microscope
• fungal scraping


  scrapings, taken with curette or scraper, of tissue from lesions are placed on growth medium and examined under microscope to identify fungal growth
• punch biopsy


  small cylinder of tissue is removed by an instrument that pieces through tissue like a hole punch
• shave biopsy


  using scalpel or razor to remove epidermis or dermis tissue elevated above surface of skin
• allograft


  skin graft from one person to another

  donor is usually a cadaver

  also called homograft
• autograft


  skin graft from a person’s own body
• dermatome


  instrument for cutting skin or thin transplant of skin
• dermatoplasty


  skin grafting, transplantation of skin
• skin graft


  transfer of skin from normal area to

  cover another site

  used to treat burn victims and

  after some surgical procedures

  also called dermoplasty
• xenograft


  skin graft from animal of another

  species to a human

  also called heterograft
• cauterization


  destruction of tissue by using caustic chemicals, electric currents, or by heating or freezing
• cryosurgery


  used of extreme cold to freeze and destroy tissue
• curettage


  removal of superficial skin lesions with curette or scraper
• debridement


  removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound
• electrocautery


  to destroy tissue with electric current
• incision and drainage


  making an incision to create an opening for drainage of

  material such as pus
• onychectomy


  removal of a nail
• chemobrasion


  abrasion using chemicals

  also called chemical peel
• dermabrasion


  abrasion using wire brushes or sandpaper, performed to remove acne

  scars, tattoos, and scar tissue
• laser therapy


  removal of skin lesions and birthmarks using a laser beam
• liposuction


  removal of fat beneath skin by means of suction
• rhytidectomy


  surgical removal of excess skin to eliminate wrinkles

  commonly referred as a face-lift