Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Punch Biopsy Technique for the Ophthalmologist

1990; American Medical Association; Volume: 108; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1001/archopht.1990.01070080020009

1538-3601

R. Warrén,

Cancer and Skin Lesions

To the Editor. —The ophthalmologist is often confronted with a patient having a periocular or facial skin lesion that is suspected of being malignant. The proper management of these lesions requires a biopsy and histopathologic examination. An incisional biopsy can be easily accomplished with a punch biopsy technique that is widely used by our dermatology colleagues. The ease of obtaining a good specimen, the uniform nature of the tissue obtained, and the simplicity of wound closure lends itself to use in the ophthalmologist's office. Disposable punches come in various sizes, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm in diameter (Fig 1). The 3-mm or 4-mm punch is best suited for periocular or facial lesions. The punch biopsy is performed after intradermal or subcutaneous injection of local anesthesia and proper skin preparation with povidone-iodine (Betadine) solution. The punch is placed perpendicular to the lesion and gentle vertical pressure combined with a