Curettage and Electrodessication
Quick, day-care removal of low-risk superficial skin cancers using a curette to scrape and electrocautery to destroy residual cells — under local anaesthesia.
What is Curettage and Electrodessication?
Curettage and electrodessication (C&E) is a simple, effective treatment for low-risk superficial skin cancers — primarily small superficial basal cell carcinomas and select squamous cell carcinomas in situ. The tumour is scraped away with a curette, then the base is destroyed with electrocautery; this cycle is repeated three times to ensure complete removal. Dr. Abhishek offers C&E at Lux Hospitals for selected low-risk skin cancers in non-cosmetic areas — quick, well-tolerated, and effective for the right patient.
How the Procedure Works
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthetic is injected around the tumour to ensure a painless procedure.
Curettage
A sharp curette is used to scrape away the tumour, taking advantage of its softer texture compared to normal skin.
Electrodessication
Electrocautery destroys any residual cancer cells at the base and edges of the wound.
Cycle Repetition
The curettage-cautery cycle is typically repeated three times for adequate margin clearance.
Wound Care
The wound is left to heal by secondary intention with simple dressings and topical antibiotics.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Quick, simple procedure under local anaesthesia
- →No sutures required — wound heals by secondary intention
- →Cost-effective for low-risk superficial cancers
- →Same-day discharge with minimal recovery time
- →Well-tolerated in elderly or medically frail patients
- →Good cure rates when patient and tumour are well-selected
Curettage and electrodessication is a perfectly good operation for the right tumour in the right place. Knowing when not to use it — facial cancers, recurrences, aggressive subtypes — is just as important as knowing how to do it well.
— Dr. Abhishek Katha, Consultant General & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Curettage and Electrodessication Cost in Hyderabad
The cost of curettage and electrodessication in Hyderabad depends on the type, size, number, and location of the skin lesion, the depth and clinical characteristics of the lesion, pre-procedure evaluation, anesthesia requirements, and follow-up care. Curettage and electrodessication is a minor procedure in which the abnormal superficial tissue is removed with a curette and the treated area is controlled with electrodessication. It may be considered for selected small and superficial skin lesions when this treatment is clinically appropriate. The estimated cost ranges from ₹8,000 to ₹25,000, with an average cost of approximately ₹16,500.
| Procedure | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small superficial lesions | ₹8,000 ₹25,000 |
The actual cost may vary depending on the type, size, number, depth, and location of the lesion and whether additional diagnostic evaluation is required. Lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas or areas that are difficult to access may require a different treatment approach.
The total expense may include consultation, clinical examination, dermoscopic or other assessment when indicated, local anesthesia, procedure-room charges, medicines, dressings, and follow-up care. When tissue is submitted for histopathological examination, pathology charges may be additional; the provided estimate indicates approximately ₹2,000–₹6,000 for histopathology.
Mohs surgery is a separate tissue-sparing surgical technique and may be considered for selected skin cancers depending on the diagnosis and location. Where available, Mohs treatment is generally priced separately according to the number of stages required, so its cost should not be assumed to be included in a curettage and electrodessication estimate.
Factors Affecting Curettage and Electrodessication Cost
The cost can differ between patients because superficial skin lesions vary in size, depth, location, and clinical behavior. The diagnostic certainty and the type of treatment recommended after examination can also influence the total expense.
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Lesion size: Larger lesions may require more extensive treatment and additional procedure time.
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Number of lesions: Treating multiple lesions can increase the overall treatment time and cost.
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Lesion location: Lesions on the face, scalp, hands, feet, or other sensitive areas may require more careful treatment planning.
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Lesion characteristics: The suspected diagnosis, depth, recurrence, and appearance of the lesion influence whether curettage and electrodessication is appropriate.
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Pre-procedure assessment: Clinical examination and, when indicated, dermoscopy, imaging, or other diagnostic evaluation may contribute to the overall expense.
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Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is commonly used for minor skin procedures, with the exact requirement depending on the lesion and patient.
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Procedure-room charges: Facility charges, sterile supplies, electrosurgical equipment, and clinical monitoring contribute to the total cost.
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Histopathology: When a tissue specimen is submitted for laboratory examination, pathology charges may be billed separately.
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Alternative treatment: Some lesions may require excision, wide local excision, Mohs surgery, or another treatment instead of curettage and electrodessication.
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Post-procedure care: Medicines, dressings, wound care, follow-up consultations, and monitoring of healing may affect the final expense.
Insurance Coverage for Curettage and Electrodessication
Curettage and electrodessication may be covered by health insurance when the procedure is medically necessary for a diagnosed or suspicious skin lesion. Coverage can differ when a lesion is treated for cosmetic reasons. The extent of coverage depends on the diagnosis, medical indication, policy terms, waiting periods, exclusions, insurer guidelines, pathology benefits, and pre-authorization requirements. Patients should confirm their coverage, applicable limits, and cashless eligibility with their insurance provider before treatment.
- Checking your policy coverage
- Cashless approval process
- Required documentation
- Insurance-related queries before the procedure
Dr. Abhishek Katha
Consultant General & Laparoscopic Surgeon
Dr. Abhishek Katha, MBBS, MS, FMAS, is a Consultant General & Advanced Laparoscopic Specialist at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad, with 17 years of experience according to the hospital's current general surgery listing. Lux Hospitals also lists him among its general surgical specialists and features him on pages for surgical treatment of skin-related conditions such as lipomas. During consultation, he can review the lesion's duration, growth or change in appearance, pain, bleeding, ulceration, recurrence history, previous treatment, and relevant medical history. A clinical examination helps determine whether the lesion appears suitable for a minor procedure or requires further diagnostic assessment before treatment. When curettage and electrodessication is considered appropriate, Dr. Abhishek Katha discusses the procedure, expected local anesthesia and wound care, healing time, follow-up requirements, and whether tissue should be submitted for histopathological examination. If the lesion has features that make simple curettage and electrodessication less suitable, the treatment plan may instead involve excision, wider surgical removal, or referral for another specialist assessment depending on the clinical and pathological findings. The consultation also provides an opportunity to discuss recurrence considerations, possible additional treatment, and the estimated procedure cost. Lux Hospitals' current general-surgery information identifies Dr. Abhishek Katha as a Consultant General & Advanced Laparoscopic Specialist.
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