During your visit, Dr. Kotlus may need to perform a skin biopsy to evaluate your condition. Please review and sign below. You will be given ample time to discuss the procedure if the doctor determines that a biopsy is necessary.

 

A biopsy is a surgical procedure used to obtain a sample of tissue for microscopic examination to aid the physician in diagnosis. The entire lesion may not be removed in this procedure. Further medical or surgical treatment may be needed when the diagnosis is made.

 

As in any surgical procedure, there are certain inherent risks including bleeding, bruising, swelling, post-operative pain, infection, reactions to sutures, anesthetics or topical antibiotics, numbness, changes in skin color, and scarring.  Eyelid biopsies can potentially cause loss of eyelashes, eyelid notching, changes in eyelid position, and irritation of the eye. Although all reasonable efforts will be made to minimize the possibility of these potential complications, no guarantees can be made since many factors beyond the control of the physician (such as the degree of sun damage or patient compliance with post-operative instructions ) affect the ultimate healing.

A pathologist will examine the tissue obtained in this biopsy procedure. I understand that I may receive a separate bill from the pathologist or laboratory for this microscopic examination.