procedure

allergy skin test

any test in which a suspected allergen or sensitizer is applied to or injected into the skin to determine the patient’s sensitivity to it

intradermal

skin test that identifies suspected allergens by subcutaneously injecting small amounts of extract if the suspected allergens and observing the skin for a subsequent reaction

patch

skin test that identifies allergenic contact dermatitis by applying a suspected allergen to patch, which is then taped on the skin, usually the forearm, and observing the area 24 hours later for an allergic response

scratch

skin test that identifies suspected allergens by placing a small quantity of the suspected allergen on a lightly scratched area of the skin; also called puncture test or prick test

biopsy

representative tissue sample removed from a body site for microscopic examination

frozen section

ultrathin slice of tissue from a frozen specimen for immediate pathological examination

needle

removal of a small tissue sample for examination using a hollow needle, usually attached to a syringe

punch

removal of a small core tissue using a hollow punch

shave

removal of elevated lesions using a surgical blade

Mohs

procedure that involves progressive removal and microscopic examination of layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains; also called micrographic surgery

skin graft

transplantation of healthy tissue to an injured site

allograft

one person to another person

autograft

one site on an individual to another site on the same individual

synthetic

transplantation of artificial skin

xenograft

dermis only transplantation from a foreign donor (usually a pig)

chemical peel

chemical removal of the outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratosis; also called chemabrasion

cryosurgery

use of subfreezing temperature to destroy or eliminate abnormal tissue, such as tumors, warts, and unwanted, cancerous or infected tissue

debridement

removal of necrotized tissue from a wound by surgical excision, enzymes, or chemical agents

dermabrasion

rubbing using wire brushes or sandpaper to mechanically scrape away the epidermis

fulguration

tissue destruction by means of high frequency electric current; also called electrodesiccation

laser

uses intense focused light to remove tissue for medical or cosmetic purposes

photodynamic therapy

procedure in which cells selectively treated with an agent called a photosensitizer are exposed to light to produce a reaction that destroys the cells