Procedures Under Local Anesthesia — Questions for a Surgeon About Pain, Healing, and Going Home

Series: Questions for the Surgeon · Answers: editorial compilation based on medical knowledge and source materials · Medical consultation: dr n. med. Piotr Rak — pending authorisation before publication · Publication: to be completed · Updated: 09.07.2026

This article is educational in nature and does not replace eligibility assessment for a procedure. The type of anaesthesia, suturing technique, suture type, follow-up timing, and wound care are decided by the doctor after assessing the patient, wound location, and type of procedure.

Key information in brief

• Local anaesthesia temporarily eliminates pain in the selected area, but the patient may feel touch, pressure, fullness, or pulling.
• Suture selection depends on the location, skin tension, type of procedure, infection risk, and planned aesthetic result.
• Absorbable sutures are not always better than non-absorbable ones — each type has its applications.
• Non-absorbable sutures usually require removal at a date set by the doctor.
• Suturing technique affects wound stability, skin tension, and the appearance of the scar, but does not guarantee an invisible scar.
• Every skin incision leaves a scar, and its final appearance depends on many factors, not only on the surgeon.
• Wound care, limiting exertion, sun protection, and monitoring for warning symptoms are part of the treatment.

Does this topic make sense for SEO?

Yes, but as a separate article it should have a different intent than a text about local anaesthesia alone. This material is best positioned for questions such as: 'dissolvable or regular sutures', 'when are sutures removed', 'do dissolvable sutures need to be removed', 'how to care for a wound after lesion excision', 'does mole removal leave a scar', 'what are the types of surgical sutures'.

This way the text does not duplicate the previous blog about local anaesthesia, but develops the technical topic: wound suturing, scar aesthetics, and post-procedure care. It is a good format for E-E-A-T if authorised by a doctor and free of marketing promises.

Does local anaesthesia really work?

Yes. Local anaesthesia involves administering a medication that temporarily blocks the conduction of pain signals in a specific area. The patient remains conscious, breathes independently, and is not put to sleep as in general anaesthesia.

The administration of anaesthesia itself may be briefly uncomfortable — the patient may feel a sting, burning, or a sensation of fullness. Once the medication takes effect, the patient should not feel pain in the treated area, but may feel touch, pressure, pulling, or tissue manipulation.

Is local anaesthesia safe?

Local anaesthesia is widely used in minor surgical, dermatological, dental, and aesthetic procedures. This does not mean, however, that it is risk-free. Safety depends on patient eligibility, dose, type of medication, site of administration, comorbidities, and possible drug interactions.

Before the procedure, you must inform the doctor about allergies, fainting after anaesthesia, heart diseases, cardiac arrhythmias, liver diseases, pregnancy, breastfeeding, medications being taken, and previous adverse reactions to anaesthetic agents.

If during or after administration of anaesthesia palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, a rash, facial swelling, a metallic taste in the mouth, tongue numbness, tinnitus, or severe weakness appear, this must be immediately reported to the medical staff.

What procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia?

Many minor and moderate outpatient procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia if the patient is appropriately qualified. Examples include:

• surgical removal of skin lesions, e.g., moles, sebaceous cysts, fibromas, or lipomas,
• surgical skin biopsy,
• selected procedures of skin and subcutaneous tissue surgery,
• incision and drainage of certain abscesses,
• selected nail procedures,
• selected proctological procedures,
• selected urological procedures,
• selected plastic or aesthetic surgery procedures, e.g., eyelid surgery, lip lift, or labiaplasty, if eligibility assessment allows.

Not every patient and not every procedure is suitable for local anaesthesia. Sometimes sedation, another form of anaesthesia, additional tests, or hospital conditions are needed.

What are the basic types of surgical sutures?

Sutures can be classified in several ways: by absorbability, material, thickness, thread construction, and placement technique. For the patient, the most important factors are usually whether the sutures will need to be removed and how they will affect healing and the scar.

Absorbable sutures, also known as dissolvable sutures

Absorbable sutures are made from materials that gradually lose their strength and are absorbed by the tissues. They may be used more deeply to reduce wound tension, or superficially in selected locations, e.g., in difficult-to-access areas or where suture removal would be uncomfortable.

Important: 'absorbable' does not always mean that the patient will not see any thread. Sometimes the suture ends are visible, irritating, or fall out in stages. If something is concerning, do not pull on the suture independently — it is better to contact the doctor.

Non-absorbable sutures, which require removal

Non-absorbable sutures hold the wound until the tissues achieve sufficient strength. They are then removed in the clinic. The timing of removal depends on the location, skin tension, patient's age, type of procedure, and course of healing.

Removing sutures too early can increase the risk of wound dehiscence, while removing them too late may promote suture marks or skin reaction. Therefore, the follow-up appointment is part of the treatment, not a formality.

Deep and superficial sutures

Sometimes a wound is closed in layers. Deep sutures reduce tension and approximate tissues beneath the skin, while superficial sutures close the skin itself. This approach can improve wound stability and reduce tension at the skin edge, but is not always necessary.

Are dissolvable sutures always better?

No. Absorbable sutures are convenient, but not always the best choice. In areas exposed to significant tension, movement, sweat, friction, or risk of wound dehiscence, the doctor may choose non-absorbable sutures or combine deep absorbable sutures with superficial non-absorbable ones.

In areas of the face, eyelids, lips, neck, intimate areas, or aesthetically significant locations, suture selection depends on skin thickness, tension, the planned scar, and whether the sutures can be safely and easily removed. There is no single best material for all wounds.

Suturing techniques — why do they matter?

The patient usually only sees the dressing and the subsequent scar, but for the surgeon what matters is: the direction of the incision, skin tension, wound depth, blood supply, the possibility of closure without excessive pressure, and whether the removed material needs to be sent for histopathological examination.

Depending on the situation, the doctor may use various techniques, including:

• interrupted sutures — widely used, easy to monitor and remove,
• continuous/running suture — used in selected wounds when it allows for even closure,
• subcuticular/intradermal suture — often chosen in aesthetically significant locations, if wound conditions allow,
• mattress sutures — helpful when there is greater tension or a need to properly align wound edges,
• layered closure — when it is necessary to reduce tension in deeper tissues.

Suturing technique can improve healing conditions, but does not guarantee an invisible scar. The scar also depends on the location, genetics, skin tension, infection, smoking, diabetes, sun exposure, and post-procedure care.

When are sutures removed?

The timing of suture removal depends on the location and skin tension. On the face, sutures are often removed earlier than on the back, limbs, or areas exposed to movement. For some patients, the doctor may decide to remove some sutures gradually in stages.

Sutures should not be removed independently. If the follow-up appointment conflicts with travel, work, or other commitments, it is worth discussing this with the doctor on the day of the procedure.

How to care for a wound after a procedure?

Care depends on the type of wound and the doctor's recommendations. General principles include cleanliness, protection from injury, and monitoring for warning symptoms. For many minor procedures, it is recommended to keep the wound clean, use the recommended dressing, and avoid soaking the wound in a bath, pool, or jacuzzi until the doctor's approval.

• Wash your hands before changing the dressing.
• Do not pick off scabs or pull on sutures.
• Do not apply rubbing alcohol, aggressive disinfectants, or antibiotic ointments without the doctor's recommendation.
• Avoid friction, pressure, and stretching of the skin around the wound.
• Do not use swimming pools, saunas, or jacuzzis until the doctor's approval.
• Attend the follow-up appointment at the agreed time.
• After healing, protect the scar from the sun.

For some wounds, the doctor may recommend keeping the wound moist and covered, e.g., using petroleum jelly or a dressing. In other situations, the recommendations may differ, which is why individual post-procedure instructions are most important.

Do silicone gels and UV protection help with scars?

After wound closure and initial healing, the doctor may recommend scar prophylaxis, e.g., silicone preparations, silicone sheets, scar massage, or sun protection. Such measures should not be started on a fresh, unhealed wound without the doctor's approval.

UV protection is important because fresh scars easily become discoloured. The duration of photoprotection depends on the location and skin type, but in practice, protection is often recommended for many months, especially in exposed areas.

When to urgently contact the doctor after wound suturing?

After the procedure, the doctor should be contacted if the following appear:

• increasing pain instead of gradual improvement,
• worsening redness, swelling, or warmth of the skin,
• pus, unpleasant odour, or profuse discharge,
• bleeding that cannot be stopped by pressure as recommended,
• fever, chills, or general malaise,
• wound dehiscence,
• severe swelling, numbness, or sensory disturbances,
• allergic reaction to a medication, dressing, or disinfectant.

Do you have a minor surgical procedure planned?

Ask the doctor about the type of anaesthesia, method of wound closure, type of sutures, follow-up timing, and scar care.

Minor surgical procedures at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej

At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk, procedures in the field of skin surgery, minor outpatient procedures, and selected plastic and aesthetic surgery procedures are performed. Dr. Piotr Rak's profile indicates that he performs, among others, surgical removal of skin lesions, moles, sebaceous cysts, lipomas, labiaplasty, lip lift, upper eyelid surgery, and minimally invasive outpatient procedures.

The current scope of services, type of anaesthesia, type of sutures, procedure duration, cost, and post-procedure recommendations should be confirmed during registration or consultation.

dr Piotr Rak Skin lesion removal

What to ask the surgeon before the procedure?

• What anaesthesia will be used and what can I expect during the procedure?
• Will I feel touch, pressure, or pulling?
• How will the wound be closed?
• Will the sutures be absorbable or non-absorbable?
• When do I need to come for a follow-up or suture removal?
• Will the material be sent for histopathological examination?
• How to care for the dressing and wound?
• When can I return to work, sport, swimming pool, or sauna?
• How to care for the scar after healing?
• What symptoms after the procedure should concern me?

FAQ — local anaesthesia and surgical sutures

Does local anaesthesia hurt?

The administration of anaesthesia itself may be briefly uncomfortable. Once the medication takes effect, the patient should not feel pain in the anaesthetised area, but may feel touch, pressure, pulling, or fullness.

Is local anaesthesia safe?

It is widely used in minor procedures, but like any medication it may have side effects. The doctor should know about allergies, chronic diseases, medications, and the patient's previous reactions to anaesthesia.

Do dissolvable sutures need to be removed?

They usually do not require conventional removal, but sometimes visible thread ends may irritate or fall out in stages. Do not pull on or cut them independently without consultation.

Are non-dissolvable sutures worse?

No. Non-absorbable sutures are very useful in many locations, particularly where stable skin closure is needed. However, they require removal at the appropriate time.

When are sutures removed?

The timing depends on the location, skin tension, type of procedure, and healing. The doctor provides a specific date for follow-up or suture removal after the procedure.

Does suturing always leave a scar?

Yes. Every skin incision leaves a scar. Suturing technique can improve healing conditions, but the final appearance of the scar also depends on genetics, location, skin tension, infection, care, and sun exposure.

Can sutures be removed independently?

This should not be done. Independent suture removal can cause wound dehiscence, infection, bleeding, or leaving a fragment of thread in the skin.

How to care for the scar after suture removal?

After healing, the doctor may recommend sun protection, silicone preparations, scar massage, or other management. Preparations should not be applied to a fresh wound without the doctor's approval.

Sources for medical and editorial verification

• American Society of Anesthesiologists, Local Anesthesia: https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/anesthesia-101/types-of-anesthesia/local-anesthesia/
• Cleveland Clinic, Local Anesthesia: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/local-anesthesia
• United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Minor skin surgery under local anaesthetic: https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/patients/patient-information-library/minor-skin-surgery-under-local-anaesthetic/
• Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Post-operative wound care following minor skin surgery: https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/post-operative-wound-care-instructions-following-minor-skin-surgery/
• American Academy of Dermatology, Skin biopsy wound care: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/skin-biopsy-wound-care
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS, Advice following excision of skin lesion under local anaesthetic: https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/media/4rqhgqnx/108497lesion.pdf
• Google Search Central, Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content
• Google Search Quality Rater Guidelines: https://guidelines.raterhub.com/searchqualityevaluatorguidelines.pdf
• Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, dr Piotr Rak: https://www.wyspamedycynyprzyjaznej.pl/pl/dr-piotr-rak
• Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, skin lesion removal: https://www.wyspamedycynyprzyjaznej.pl/pl/usuwanie-zmian-skornych