Minor Surgery in Dr Blayney's Practice

For the last few years we have added DERMATOSCOPY in aiding decisions about abnormal skin lesions
which has subsequently increased the confidence in deciding what skin abnormality needs removal.
This essentially means fewer biopsies but more appropriate excisions with adequate margins so less need for follow-up excisions.

Contrary to rumours I have not reduced offering surgery and can still provide our registered patients with
a broad range of high quality (but cheaper than specialist dermatology) minor surgery services (see below).
While we do frequent excisions, I have ceased offering some surgeries we previously provided,
in particular vasectomies and anything else I have not done regulary.

Surgery includes:

• Changing or worrying skin moles, skin growths or marks, to remove or exclude cancers. The decision to excise is usually based on history (particularly recent changes), macro examination and dermatoscopy. Reasonably costing biopsy and more commonly, excision biopsy (ellipse or simple flaps) are options with generally excellent cosmetic outcomes. (see Excisions)

• Minor lumps and bumps (see excisions)

• Foreign body removal (eye, under skin, in a hole!)

• Ingrown Nail management (see Phenolic Ablation)

• Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen for warts, sun damage etc)

• Injections & aspirations Where appropriate, tendon, joint and bursa treatments.

• Modern Vasectomy We no longer off the Pre-Pubic "Vatsyayann" technique or standard vasectomies. In general it is best to have a vasectomy with a specialist urologist or general surgeon, although I could provide a traditional "snip" if specially requested. See pros and cons here.

• Everything Else If I can't do it (like a skin graft), I'll find someone who can (if appropriate)! This particularly applies to pure cosmetic surgery requests.

Cost: The cost for minor surgery at our practice varies depending on the time, complexity, equipment and materials. It is however considerably less than similar procedures done in skin clinics and by dermatologists and is based on plastic surgical techniques as well as over 40 year's experince. Moderate to large excisions are likely to be in the order of $200-$500.
I do not offer any procedure that I don't practise frequently enough to remain competent at.

Non-registered patients: In general you need to see your own GP who unlike us receives Government capitation and reasonable Practice Nurse support. If your GP is happy to refer to us, the above costs are added to our fee.