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Indications and procedure for obtaining a vulval punch biopsy (1175)

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Early medical termination of pregnancy at home telephone call sheet. 

Punch biopsy is considered the primary technique to obtain a diagnostic, full-thickness skin specimen for diagnostic purposes.

It is performed using a circular blade or trephine attached to a pencil-like handle. The instrument is rotated down through the epidermis and dermis, and into the subcutaneous fat. A punch circular blade comes in a range of diameters from 3mm to 8mm. 4mm diameter punches are most often used

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Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 20/11/2024

Next review date: 30/11/2029

Author(s): Claire Higgins, Frances Lowrie.

Version: 1

Author email(s): claire.higgins2@nhs.scot.

Approved By: Gynaecology Clinical Governance Group

Reviewer name(s): Claire Higgins.

Document Id: 1175

References

1. Menopause: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline [NG23]Published: 12 November 2015 Last updated: 05 December 2019

2. Transvaginal laser therapy for urogenital atrophy, Interventional procedures guidance [IPG697]Published: 26 May 2021, NICE

3. BMS consensus statement, Urogenital Atrophy, March 2024 https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/09-BMS-ConsensusStatement-Urogenital-atrophy-MARCH2024-A.pdf

4. McVicker L, Labeit AM, Coupland CAC, et al. Vaginal Estrogen Therapy Use and Survival in Females With Breast Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2024;10(1):103–108. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.4508

5. Cold S, Cold F, Jensen M-B, Cronin-Fenton D, Christiansen P, Ejlertsen B. Systemic or vaginal hormone therapy after early breast cancer: a Danish observational cohort study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(10):1347-1354.

6. Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 Advisory note, 2012

7. Edwards, D., & Panay, N. (2015). Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition? Climacteric, 19(2), 151–161.

8. ospemifene (Senshio) (scottishmedicines.org.uk)

9. 2024-09-sdt-part-3.pdf (publichealthscotland.scot)