Punch biopsy and curettage for minor surgery using Stiefel

Punch biopsy and curettage are two common procedures in dermatological surgery. This presentation provides an overview of the procedures using Stiefel single use instruments.

What is a punch biopsy?There are four main types of skin biopsies: punch biopsy, shave biopsy, excision biopsy, and incisional biopsy.

A punch biopsy is an instrument and technique used to take a biopsy (tissue sample) of a suspicious skin lesion or area of skin disease. The technique involves penetrating the full thickness of the skin to the subcutaneous tissue.

A Stiefel biopsy punch

Punch biopsies are usually conducted under a local anaesthetic that is administered in various areas surrounding the lesion site (right) The lesion is marked using a skin marker pen as the lesion is less distinct after the local anaesthetic.

Biopsies are then sent to a pathologist to review under a microscope for diagnosis.

Stiefel biopsy punches

Reusable biopsy punches are quite rare as they tend to lose sharpness during the sterilisation process. The single use biopsy punch offers reliable sharpness as well as assured sterility.

Stiefel’s unique design ensures:

• Exceptional sharpness; ensuring a clean and smooth biopsy with minimal peripheral damage.

• Maximum sterility; Each biopsy punch has a protective safety cap and are individually sterile wrapped.

• Precision; The contoured handle gives positive grip and allows for an effortless action.

Stiefel biopsy punches are available in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm diameter.

What is curettage?In the medical world curettage is the use of a ring curette to scoop or scrape a lesion. This is mainly for the purpose of removal. For example curettage is ideal for the removal of small, firm superficial epidermal lesions such as seborrhoeic keratosis, viral warts and skin tags.

As curettage is a therapeutic procedure rather than a diagnostic procedure, the diagnosis is generally made before the procedure is carried out. However, curettage specimens can be sent to pathologists to confirm the diagnosis.

ImagesTop: A Stiefel curetteRight: Removal of a lesion with Stiefel curette

Stiefel Curettes

Stiefel’s single use ring curettes are designed for:

• Exceptional sharpness.

• Maximum sterility; Each biopsy punch has a protective safety cap and are individually sterile wrapped.

• Precision; The ergonomically designed handle gives maximum comfort and optimum control.

Stiefel Curettes are available in 4mm or 7mm diameter.

Stiefel biopsy punches and curettes

Order yours!Product Code Description BC-BI-0500 2mm Biopsy PunchBC-BI-1000 3mm Biopsy PunchBC-BI-1500 4mm Biopsy PunchBC-BI-1600 5mm Biopsy PunchBC-BI-2000 6mm Biopsy PunchBC-BI-3000 8mm Biopsy Punch Pack size: 10

Product Code Description BC-CT-4000 4mm Curette BC-CT-7000 7mm Curette Pack size: 10

Stiefel Curettes

Stiefel’s single use ring curettes are designed for:

• Exceptional sharpness.

• Maximum sterility; Each biopsy punch has a protective safety cap and are individually sterile wrapped.

• Precision; The ergonomically designed handle gives maximum comfort and optimum control.

For more information on Stiefel biopsy punches and curettes contact Schuco on 020

8368 1642 or email sales@schuco.co.uk