Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Duffy, S., and G. V. Cobb. Practical Electrosurgery. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 1994.
PERIODICALS
Gonzalez, D. I., C. M. Zahn, M. G. Retzloff,...
W. F. Moore, E.R. Kost, and R. R. Snyder. "Recurrence of Dysplasia After Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedures With Long-term Follow-up."American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 184 (February 2001): 315โ321.
Moniak, C. W., S. Kutzner, E. Adam, J. Harden, and R. H.Kaufman. "Endocervical Curettage in Evaluating Abnormal Cervical Cytology."Journal of Reproductive Medicine 45 (April 2000): 285โ292.
Sheridan, A. T., and R. P. Dawber. "Curettage, Electrosurgery and Skin Cancer."Australasian Journal of Dermatology 41 (February 2000): 19โ30.
Werlinger, K. D., G. Upton, and A. Y. Moore. "RecurrenceRates of Primary Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers Treated by Surgical Excision Compared to Electrodesiccation-curettage in a Private Dermatological Practice."Dermatology and Surgery 28 (December 2002): 1138โ1142.
Williams, D. L., C. Dietrich, and J. McBroom. "EndocervicalCurettage when Colposcopic Examination is Satisfactory and Normal."Obstetrics and Gynecology 95 (June 2000): 801โ803.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Dermatology Association. 1350 I StreetNW, Suite 880, Washington, DC 20005. (202) 842-3555.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 40912th St., S.W., PO Box 96920 Washington, D.C. 20090-6920. (312) 786-1468.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). 5550Meadowbrook Dr., Suite 120, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. (847) 956-0900.
National Association for Women's Health. 300 W. AdamsStreet, Suite 328, Chicago, IL 60606-5101. (312) 786-1468.
OTHER
CANCERLIT: NIH Cancer Information Center. [cited May 14,2003].
National Women's Health Information Center. [cited May 14,2003].
The Skin Cancer Foundation. [cited May 14, 2003].
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Other Information
Definition
Curettage is the surgical removal of growths or tissue from the wall of a body cavity or other surface, using a spoon-like instrument with a sharp edge called a curette. Electrosurgery is a procedure that cuts, destroys, or cauterizes tissue using a high-frequency electric current applied locally with a pencil-shaped metal instrument or needle. When the two procedures are combined, the surgery is referred to as curettage and electrosurgery.
Purpose
The general purpose of curettage is to scrape an area free of undesirable tissue. The purposes of electrosurgery are to destroy benign and malignant lesions, control bleeding, and cut or excise tissue.
Specifically, a curettage and electrosurgery procedure is used to treat the following conditions:
benign skin lesions, such as angiomas, nevis, and warts
actinic keratoses (AKs), which are premalignant skin lesions
skin cancers, chiefly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
genital warts that result from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Other Information
Surgeons aim for results of 20/20 or better so that you can perform most daily activities without your glasses. However, there is a possibility that after surgery, you may need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities.
-Eye Surgery Education Council
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