Whilst performing the punch biopsy with the BIOPSY PUNCH, the skin is stretched out, vertically to the relaxed skin tension lines, whenever possible or necessary.

The punch is held between the thumb and index finger, placed upon the upper surface the skin and pressed down clockwise in a “screwing” motion at moderate pressure. It is important that penetration into the fatty tissue is sufficiently deep to obtain a preparation that will allow an judgement to be made. The clear length of the cut is 7mm. A longer cutis-subcutis cast can be obtained through intra-operative pressure. The operator’s technique will determine the depth of the tissue taken.

The skin cast punched out will lift itself above the level of the surrounding skin. It should be carefully grasped and raised with a small anatomical set of tweezers, avoiding any crushing. It is then separated away flat with the scissors or scalpel at the base. The test is then taken carefully over to a suitable container.

Due to tensioning of the skin, an oval-shaped blemish is produced, which can easily be closed up. Hæmostasis using an instrument is almost never needed. In the case of punches up to 4mm diameter, it is usually possible to dispense with closing up the wound. Covering up the wound takes place either by compressing or with a small hydrocolloid tape. When using larger punches, blemishes caused by them are closed up using sutures or clips or adhesive strips. This can be done particularly easily with oval wounds. The resulting scars are scarcely visible.