Equipment needed for shave biopsy includes alcohol swab, marking pen, syringe with lidocaine with epinephrine buffered with sodium bicarbonate, gauze, sterile towel, double-edged razor or scalpel, biopsy bottle with patient's name already on bottle, 20% aluminum chloride and Q-tip, Vaseline and bandage, pathology request, and biopsy. The area to be biopsied is draped, cleansed, and prepped with an alcohol swab. The area to be biopsied is then marked with a surgical pen prior to anesthetizing. 1% lidocaine with epinephrine buffered with sodium bicarbonate is injected subcutaneously and then intradermally. The intradermal injection of the lesion allows it to be propped up and stabilized between the thumb and forefinger of the non-dominant hand. A double-edged razor, which is generally sharper than most surgical blades, is used. The razor can be bent concave or convex with the thumb and forefinger to better conform to the surface being cut. Depth is easily controlled by increasing or decreasing the convexity of the curve. The razor is then moved in a reciprocating motion across and under the lesion until it's removed. At the end of the biopsy, the non-cotton end of a Q-tip can be used to further facilitate the complete removal of the lesion. 20% aluminum chloride is applied by Q-tip to achieve hemostasis. A bandage is then placed on the wound.

shave biopsy equipment

alcohol swab

lidocaine injection

lesion removal

bandage application