Dermal Cyst Excision

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A dermal cyst excision (ek-sih-zhun) is also called dermal cyst removal. Dermal means skin. A cyst is a sac containing liquid or a jelly-like material. Dermal cyst removal is when a cyst is taken off of or out of your skin. Most cysts can be removed, or opened and drained.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are very few risks when having a cyst removed. If you have an infection and your cyst is not drained or removed, the infection may get worse. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Call Button: You can use a call button when you need your caregiver. Pain or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call.

Gown: A hospital gown is needed so that your caregivers can easily check and treat you. Put your gown on so that it opens in the back.

Heart Monitor: This may also be called an EKG or an electrocardiogram (e-lek-tro-kar-d-o-gram). It is a painless test to see how your heart is working. Sticky pads (3 or 5) are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen or to a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen or box shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Caregivers watch this tracing all the time to make sure your heart is doing well.

Informed Consent: You have the right to understand your health problem in words you can understand. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your problem. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube will be capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen during your illness or injury. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. Or, it may be given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose). Tell your caregiver if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the nasal prongs bother you. Don't take off your oxygen without asking your caregiver. If you do, your body may not have enough oxygen.

Pulse Oximeter (oks-ih-mih-ter): This is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.

Vital Signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which will give your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope (steth-uh-skop). Your vital signs may be taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

Medicines:

• Antibiotics(an-ti-bi-ah-tiks): This medicine may be given to help you fight infection caused by a germ called bacteria (bak-teer-e-uh). Antibiotics may be given by IV, as a shot, or by mouth.
  
  
• Numbing Medicine: This is a shot of medicine given before the cyst is removed. It is often called a "local." This medicine is usually given in shot form. The shot is given in several places in the skin around the cyst. This helps make the nerves in that area numb. If you are allergic to "novocaine" or "lidocaine" or any other numbing medicine, tell your caregiver.

During the Procedure:

• After the cyst area is numbed, a caregiver will clean the skin around the cyst with soap and water. This soap may make your skin yellow, but it will be cleaned off later. Sheets will be put over you to keep the surgery area clean. A small incision (cut) is made in the skin over the cyst. The skin is then spread apart so your caregiver can see the cyst. When it is being removed, you may feel pressure or pulling.
  
  
• There will be bleeding because of the incision made in the skin. The incision will be closed with stitches or staples and to control the bleeding. A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the stitches to keep them clean and dry.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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