During your visit, your provider may need to perform a skin biopsy or minor surgery to evaluate your skin condition. Please review and sign below. You will be given ample time to discuss the procedure if the provider determines a skin biopsy is necessary.
Purpose
A biopsy is a surgical procedure used to obtain a sample of tissue for microscopic examination to aid the physician/provider in diagnosis. The entire lesion may not be removed in this procedure. Further medical or surgical treatment may be needed when the diagnosis is made.
Proposed Treatment
I understand that a biopsy requires obtaining a sample of tissue and is a surgical procedure. As in any surgical procedure, there are certain inherent risks including bleeding, post-operative pain, infection, reactions to sutures, anesthetics or topical antibiotics, and scarring. Although all reasonable efforts will be made to minimize the possibility of these potential complications, no guarantees can be made since many factors beyond the control of the physician (such as the degree of sun damage or patient compliance with post-operative instructions) affect the ultimate healing. A pathologist will examine the tissue obtained in this biopsy procedure. I understand that I may receive a separate bill from the pathologist or laboratory for this microscopic examination.
I UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF SKIN SURGERY:
1. All humans heal by permanent scar formation, thus all surgeries will result in a scar. 2. Scar tissue is pink for 3-6 months, and then usually fades to white. Sun exposure may cause a scar to darken. 3. The appearance of a surgical scar usually continues to improve for 6-12 months, as the scar “matures”. The surgery scar is usually strong by 4 weeks. 4. Scars overlying active muscle areas tend to stretch or widen with time. This cannot always be prevented. 5. Scars can heal thick (keloid or hypertrophic) or heal thin (atrophic). How they heal depends partly on their location on the body and the healing process of the patient. The final appearance of a scar depends upon many factors. While we strive in every case to achieve the best cosmetic result possible, this cannot be guaranteed. 6. If a surgical site is injured before healing is complete, the scar may remain open, the wound may bleed, and the scar may become more obvious. 7. A change of feeling (sensation) often occurs around a scar. It may be numb or sensitive. In some areas of the body there is a risk of motor nerve damage. 8. Infection or bleeding can occur after surgery. 9. Serious or life threatening reactions may occur to any ointment, dressing, or medication, including local anesthetics used during surgical procedures. 10. Sometimes more than one surgical procedure is necessary to remove a large lesion, to remove a lesion in a difficult area, or to obtain the best possible cosmetic result. I understand that the excision will need to be approximately three times the width of the original lesion. 11. If any unforeseen event should occur during the course of the procedure, I authorize the provider to take whatever steps necessary to perform what ever procedure(s) deemed advisable which may be different or in addition to from that which has been planned and discussed with me. (this would cover tying off a vessel, making the incision larger for dog ears and undermining to close incision) 12. The lesion removed may be sent to an outside lab for further analysis. The lesion may recur or regrow. 13. I consent to the taking of photographs or recording of my procedure for the purpose of documentation- photos are really helpful to relocate an area if the entire lesion was removed.
I certify that I have read and understand the contents of this consent form. I have been given the opportunity to ask the provider/staff any questions that I have about the procedure, and all of my questions have been answered. The provider/staff has explained the procedure and its alternatives to me, and I both understand and accept the risks involved in this procedure. I hereby authorize my provider and his/her assistant to remove the above lesion.