General Procedures

We provide a range of medical procedures performed by trained professionals in a clinical setting. Treatment options are discussed with patients based on clinical need, ensuring a personalized and professional approach.

Before any procedure, a medical consultation is required to assess the condition and determine the most appropriate course of action. Our doctors will discuss potential treatment options, risks, and aftercare to ensure you receive comprehensive and informed care. If you require further evaluation, our doctors will guide you through the appropriate next steps.

Skin Tags

From $100 per site

What are skin tags

Skin tags are are small, soft, flesh-coloured benign growths that can occur anywhere in the body and are commonly found in areas where the skin folds or rubs together, such as the neck, armpits and groin
While they are benign and do not pose any health issues, patients may consider removing them if they have troublesome symptoms such as pain, irritation, bleeding, or simply due to comesis.

What causes skin tags

Skin tags are usually caused by friction when the skin rubs against itself or against clothing
Other contributing risk factors includes:
- Genetics
- Increased age
- Obesity
- Hormonal changes such as during pregnancy

How can skin tags be removed?

They can be easily removed through a minor surgical procedure under local anesthesia.
The surrounding tissue is first infiltrated with local anesthesia.
The skin tag is then excised at its base using a surgical scalpel
The remaining wound is usually small which does not require stitching and it is allowed to heal and scab over the next 1-2 weeks.

Skin Abscess

From $100 per site

What is an abscess?

An abscess is a localised collection of pus that can build up anywhere within the tissue of the body, usually caused by bacterial infection. A skin abscess can present with redness, pain, warmth and swelling of the overlying skin.

What are the risk factors for developing skin abscess?

Skin and soft tissue risk factors
- Poor hygiene
- Skin trauma (cuts, puncture wounds, insect bites)
- Ingrown hairs, shaving
- Blocked sweat or oil glands
Medical conditions
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system (E.g. HIV, chemotherapy, long-term steroid use)
- Chronic skin conditions (eczema, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa)
- Poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency)
Lifestyle factors
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition (including vitamin deficiencies)

Management of skin abscess

1. Antibiotics

This may be an option if the abscess is small which may resolve with just antibiotics alone.
However, there may still be a chance for the infection to progress despite being on antibiotics and may eventually require surgical intervention (option 2).

2. Incision and drainage (I&D)

I&D is a minor surgical procedure that can be done at the outpatient setting under local anesthesia. This may be offered as a first line treatment for bigger abscesses which are unlikely to resolve with antibiotics alone, or after a trial of antibiotics have failed to resolve the infection.
This procedure involves making a small incision above the abscess to allow the pus to drain out. Any infected tissue may also be removed. The wound cavity is then irrigated copiously with antiseptic solution. The wound is left open to heal from bottom upwards. It will be packed with gauze and covered with dressing.

What to expect after I&D?

Patients will be discharged with painkillers and antibiotics
Daily wound review and dressing may be required in the first few days
It may take 2 to 3 weeks for the wound to heal depending on the initial size of the abscess

Warts

From $35 onwards

What are warts?

Warts are harmless skin growth caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
Warts can grow on any part of the body
HPV can be spread through direct skin contact, sharing personal items like shoes, socks, towels and contact with infected surfaces.
The virus can enter the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions which are often unnoticed. Once inside, the virus infects cells in the outer layer of the skin, triggering rapid cell growth which leads to wart formation

Signs and symptoms

Warts can appear as small, rough growths with presence of tiny black pin points on the surface which are clotted blood vessels.
On weight-bearing areas, the warts are pressed inwards, which results in a thickened layer of skin (callus) forming over the wart.
Causes discomfort or pain when pressure is applied on the affected area
Warts may disappear on their own and no treatment may be needed especially in young children. However, spontaneous healing is less common in adults

Management of warts

1. Topical application with salicylic acid

- Thin down the wart with a pumic stone or nail file. File the area till all the white and dead skin is removed without causing discomfort or pain.
- You may soak the wart for 5 to 10 minutes in warm water before filing it down as it helps to soften the wart
- Apply salicylic acid to the wart
- Cover with a band-aid or duct tape.
- Repeat process daily
- May be used in conjunction with other modalities of treatment

2. Cryotherapy

- - It is a method with uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart tissue at low temperatures of -55 degrees celsius
  - Following treatment, the frozen epidermis peels away in about 2 to 3 days and new epidermis grows in its place. Blistering of the area may occur which is normal
  - Each session only takes a few minutes. Patients may feel a stinging sensation due to the cold but it is generally well tolerated
  - Multiple sessions may be required depending on the size of the wart and each session should be about 1 to 2 weeks apart

Excision of lumps and bumps

The two most common superficial skin lumps are lipoma and sebaceous cyst.

From $300

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign tumour made of fat tissue. They are generally soft to touch, mobile and painless. They usually occur just under the skin but occasionally may be deeper.
It is slow growing and benign.
Removal should be considered if it is causing pain due to the lump pressing on the surrounding nerve fibre, or if it is causing inconvenience when it is on a part of the body that frequently gets impacted on.

What is a sebaceous cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a benign lump which forms from the sebaceous glands of hair follicles when the skin pores are blocked. It is usually round in shape with a central black dot over the tip (punctum) and may have discharge from the punctum.
It is generally harmless but it can become inflamed or infected. Symptoms includes pain, swelling and redness around the lump and pus discharge from the lump.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of the lump is usually done with a physical examination.
In the event if the lump is too deep and vague to touch, or if the nature of the lump is uncertain, we can perform an ultrasound of the lump in house in order to characterize the size and nature of the lump

How is the lump removed?

If the lipoma is small and superficial, it is usually easily removed under local anesthesia. A small incision is made over the lump and the entire lump will be removed. The wound is closed with several stitches.
Excision of a sebaceous cyst involves removing the entire lump including the cyst wall. However, when a sebaceous cyst is infected, complete excision may be difficult due to the surrounding inflammation. An effective approach is to first treat with a course of antibiotics to reduce the inflammation before the excision of the cyst. In the event that the infection does not improve with antibiotics, the infection will need to be cleared via a small cut known and incision and drainage (I&D).
The specific procedure will need to be assessed by the doctor

Wound management

Proper wound management is essential in ensuring that wounds do not get infected and can heal with minimal pain and scarring.

Acute wounds can vary from superficial abrasions to deep wounds that damage deeper structures such as blood vessels, nerves, muscle or tendons. They include cuts (lacerations), abrasions, burns and puncture wounds.

How can I manage minor wounds at home?

Clean the wound with clear water to remove all dirt and debris
Apply direct pressure to stop any bleeding
Carefully pat the area dry with a clean gauze
Cover the wound with a sterile dressing or bandage
Apply ice for bruising or swelling

How do I know I need to see a GP?

There is visible dirt or foreign materials stuck in the wound
The wound is caused by an animal bite (increased risk of wound infection)
The wound is caused by a rusty or contaminated/dirty object
Failure to stop bleeding
Deep wounds
Signs of infection such as fever, persistent redness, pain, swelling or pus

How will wounds be managed in the clinic?

For patients with dirty wounds or wounds caused by animal bites, tetanus vaccine will be administered
Wounds will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution
Any foreign body or debris will be removed
Depth of the wound will assessed to see if any deeper structures are damaged
Toilet and suture (stitches) may be required based on the doctor’s assessment
Wound dressing will be done using sterile materials and dressing
Appropriate follow up for wound review will be advised
Patient will be discharged with appropriate painkillers, topical and/or oral antibiotics

T&S

Cost of T&S starts from $250 onwards

“Toilet” means to clean the wound, “suture” refers to stitching up the wound with sutures. Your wound may require T&S if it is long, deep, or if bleeding does not stop with applying pressure.

The wound is cleaned with antiseptic solution
Local anesthesia will be infiltrated to the surrounding tissue to numb it.
Stitches will be placed to oppose the wound edges
Sterile dressing will be applied.

Removal of stitches

Cost of removal of sutures starts from $25

Most of the sutures used are non-absorbable hence removal is required.

The number of days the stitches stay in usually depends on the part of the body where they are placed.

Face: 5-7 days

Scalp: 7-10 days

Torso, abdomen, arms, legs: 10-14 days

Over a joint: 14 days or more