Introduction

Electrodesiccation & curettage (ED&C) is a minimally invasive procedure utilized for treating pre-cancers and skin cancers. In particular, ED&C is used for treating: basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis. This procedure is generally an in-office procedure, taking no more than an hour to complete. ED&C consists of scraping and “burning” away unwanted growths on the skin. One benefit of ED&C is that it does not involve stitches, thus it can be an optimal route for those who do not respond well to stiches.

Preparation

Before an ED&C takes place, make sure to let us know if you have any implanted electrical devices. This is to ensure that the electrical current from electodessication does not “short” the implant’s current.

Procedure

ED&C begins by first scraping the tumor using a sharp curette (i.e. a type of surgical knife). Next, a device with a needle-like metal tip is used to dry out the tissue using an electric current. The area is then covered with an ointment followed by placing a bandage over the wound. The dressing will generally stay in place for 24-48 hours.

After Care

The wound may be sore right after the treatment, yet the majority patients require no more than an over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medication. We will guide you with instructions on how to appropriately keep the dressing dry during showers as well as how to redress the wound.