What should I do after a vulvar biopsy?
Follow your doctor's aftercare instructions after a vulvar biopsy.
You should follow these instructions after a vulvar biopsy
- Try to keep the biopsy site clean and dry.
- Do not wash the biopsy area for 12 hours.
- Apply direct pressure on the biopsy site if bleeding occurs.
- Take a shower 24 hours after the biopsy.
- Avoid hot bathtubs until healing is complete.
- Wash the area once or twice daily and pat it dry.
- Avoid sexual intercourse until the area has healed completely.
It takes approximately five days for complete healing while keeping it open. If there is a stitch, it will gradually dissolve over the next one to two weeks as the wound heals.
Why is a vulvar biopsy done?
A vulvar biopsy is a surgical procedure where a small piece of tissue is extracted from the vulva. A vulvar biopsy is performed in the following conditions
- Areas of the skin that appear white or turn white when diluted with a vinegar-like solution
- Patches of the skin that are red, brown, pink, gray or bumpy
- A sore that doesn’t recover
- A lump or growth on the vulva
- Genital warts that don’t heal
When should a vulvar biopsy be avoided?
A vulvar biopsy should be avoided when
- The vulvar site is infected.
- There is coagulopathy (a bleeding disorder).
- The patient is allergic to local anesthetics.
What should I expect during a vulvar biopsy?
Before the procedure
- The physician will obtain your consent before the procedure.
- Understand the procedure, including its risk and benefits.
- You may be given painkillers to counter the pain felt during the procedure.
- The doctor will apply local anesthesia to numb the area.
During the procedure
The biopsy is a quick procedure and can be performed in an office setting. The physician cleans the affected area with special swabs. Next, the physician uses a particular instrument known as a colposcope to select the site for a biopsy. A colposcope placed outside the body is a hand-held magnifying lens that lets the physician view even a small change in the skin of the vulva. The physician treats the vulva with a dilute solution of acetic acid that causes the cancerous areas of the skin to turn white. These changes are easily visible through a colposcope. Once the physician identifies the abnormal area, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area. The physician using an instrument may either remove the entire abnormal area (excisional biopsy) or take a small piece of tissue (punch biopsy). If the physician takes a larger patch of skin, then it will require stitches to close it.
What are the complications of a vulvar biopsy?
The risks of a vulvar biopsy include
- Pain
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hematoma (pooling of blood)
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Hypopigmentation (loss of skin color)
- Hyperpigmentation (increased skin color)