Punch Biopsy
The word Panch means puncher in English. In reality, a punch is a scalpel with a tube. This tool looks like a pen. At the end of this pen is a metallic cylinder with cutting edges.
By inserting a tubular scalpel into the examined area of the skin, the doctor obtains a columnar tissue section or biopsy. This biopsy includes the superficial and deep layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) as well as the subcutaneous fat layer (hypodermis). Tubular scalpels in different diameters, 2-8 mm. they can be. Therefore, the tissue column will also differ in size.
The advantage of punch biopsy is that it allows taking a deep tissue part without damaging the skin over a large area.
Indications
Punch biopsy is used in the diagnosis of a number of skin diseases:
- Infection of the skin with bacterial, viral and fungal infections;
- Non-infectious diseases of dermatitis and dermatosis origin;
- Various benign derivatives of the skin;
- Malignant derivatives - cancer, melanoma;
- Tuberculosis of the skin;
- Cutaneous amyloidosis;
- Cutaneous reticulosis;
- Systemic collagenoses - skin damage during urticaria, systemic scleroderma, dermatomyositis, nodular periarteritis;
- Changes in the skin during metabolic disorders and avitaminosis;
- Any other skin diseases observed with redness, pathological rashes, pigmentation disorders;
Punch biopsy is used not only for diagnostic purposes, but also to determine the effectiveness of treatment of the disease. A column of tissue from the pathological area is obtained after surgical removal of the derivative.
Methodology
Do not apply any cosmetics or medicinal products to the skin before the punch biopsy. No other preparations are required. For obtaining a biopsy, the punch is placed exactly perpendicular to the skin surface in the area of the pathological focus. Then the circular scalpel is inserted to the required depth of 3-7.5 mm with counterclockwise rotation movements and then removed.
The resulting circular skin defect is lifted with a needle and its base is cut. Because the procedure is painful, it is performed under local anesthesia. The obtained material is fixed in glass and sent to the laboratory. The result is ready within 5-12 days. After the biopsy is taken, the skin defect formed is sutured and covered with an antiseptic bandage or bactericidal patch.
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy;
- Allergic reactions to local anesthetic;
- Delay in blood clotting;
- Taking blood thinners;
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (distorts the result)
The doctor should inform about other allergic, chronic diseases and regularly taken medicines.