Materials for an Excision Biopsy

  1. Alcohol Wipes ( 4 of them)
  2. Povidone/iodine or chlorhexidine to clean or prep the skin.
  3. Drape: Sterile fenestrated drape or clean towels.
  4. Lidocaine (or Xylocaine) 1 or 2%, with or without 1:100,000 epinephrine for local anesthesia.
  5. Syringe: 3-mL syringe
  6. Needle: 21-gauge needle for drawing up anesthetic
  7. Needle: 25- to 30-gauge needle or smallest possible size for injecting
  8. Scalpel: Scalpel handle and scalpel blades – Size 15 or 10
  9. Forceps: Toothed forceps to minimize crush artifacts.
  10. Pen: Surgical marking pen.
  11. Scissors
  12. Needle driver for suturing
  13. Gauze, 2 X 2-inch or 4 X 4-inch
  14. Suture: Nonabsorbable suture (polypropylene [Prolene], silk, or nylon) of the desired size OR adhesive.
  15. Suture: Absorbable suture (Vicryl) if subcutaneous suture needed.
  16. Steri Strips – Use especially on face wounds. It reduces scarring.
  17. Gloves: Nonsterile gloves, size medium.
  18. Gloves: Sterile gloves, size 7 or other.
  19. Bandage: Small adhesive bandages (circular or square) or nonstick bandage and tape
  20. Pathology specimen container (s) filled with 10% formalin solution or normal saline.
  21. Laboratory requisition form or enter Histopathology order through the EHR.
  22. White petrolatum on a swab or antibiotic ointment.
  23. Hemostatic agents – Chemical Cauterization: Aluminum chloride 20-50% solution (Drysol), OR ferric subsulfate (Monsel solution ) OR silver nitrate sticks (75% silver nitrate/25% potassium nitrate)
  24. Cotton swabs for applying Drysol or chemical cautery.

Resources:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/1101/p995.html
http://www.proceduresconsult.com/medical-procedures/excisional-biopsy-GS-072-procedure.aspx

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