Intermediate
Technical
IVT
staged excision
Surgical technique involving removal of tissue in multiple planned procedures to ensure complete tumor clearance.
Full Definition
A surgical approach used for large or complex skin cancers where the tumor is removed in multiple planned stages over several days or weeks. This technique allows for histopathologic examination of margins between procedures and planning of reconstruction once clear margins are confirmed. Staged excision is particularly useful for large tumors in areas where tissue preservation is critical or when immediate reconstruction might compromise oncologic outcomes.
In Context
- "A staged excision approach was planned for the large melanoma to optimize both oncologic and cosmetic outcomes." — preoperative planning note
- "The first stage of the staged excision revealed positive margins requiring further tissue removal." — operative report
Also known as
serial excision
multistage excision
Contrasted with
single-stage excision
Don't confuse with
re-excision
Mohs surgery