Removal of a Dermatofibroma Behind my Knee (Insect Bite) ;dermtolologist or Plastic Surgeon?
asked 11 months ago by a patient in columbia, md
Latest answer by Joel L. Cohen, MD
Question viewed 277 times
Tags: bug bite, doctor referral, scar
I've dermatofibroma behind my knee, got it from insect bite,doesn't hurt, but itches alot. My dermatologist said I can have it removed, but itll leave a scar, it'll have 2 b cut below the skin. Ive read that if this isnt completely removed it can come back, so I want 2 make sure its completely removed. Ive also gone 2 a plastic surgeon who understand dermatofibormas & said he would cut under 2 the skin 2 remove it. Since scaring is possible, should I go 2 dermatologist or plastic surgeon? ty
3 answers to Removal of a Dermatofibroma Behind my Knee (Insect Bite) ;dermtolologist or Plastic Surgeon?
+1
If really a dermatofibroma, then leave it alone.
Regardless of who removes it (derm or plastics), the technique is the same--an excision. And the scar is usually worse than the original spot after an excision. So if truly a DF, leave it alone. Alternatively, if really raised you might consider just having your doc shave it down to tangentially debulk it--but even still, the scar might be more prominent than the original spot.
Joel L. Cohen, MD
Denver Dermatologic Surgeon
Denver Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
I would re-think removing dermatofibroma
I would give this surgery a second thought. If your dermatologist thinks that this is a classic benign dermatofibroma you might not be happy with removing it. The scar will be longer that the lesion is to adequately close it. Who removes it will make no difference as both doctors will do an identical procedure. Sometimes these can be frozen with liquid nitrogen and they will shrink and be less symptomatic. If you are removing because it itches how can you be sure that the scar...
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+1
Scarring after the removal of a Dermatofibroma
Thie issue here is not really one of a dermatologist versus plastic surgeon but of what happens once an incison has been made into the skin. In fact the one thing I would strongly advise you is to avoid the physician who guarantees there will be no scar. Whenever the skin has been cut there are risks one of which is for potential scarring. This risk occurrs regardless of who is holding the knife. The risk of...
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