Curettage techniques with the CURETTE
Before curettage, a local anæsthetic is generally required, with appropriate disinfection of the skin (injection, spray, cream). In cases of very small, superficial lesions, it is possible to dispense with the anaesthetic.
The most commonly-used method is the ”fountain-pen technique“. To do this, the curette is held between the thumb, index and middle finger. In so doing, the skin should be stretched with the fingers of the other hand.
This method of holding enables precise guiding of the instrument, so that the piece of tissue can be removed in one well-targeted incision.
A further commonly used method is the ”potato-peeler technique“, in which the handle of the curette is held in the distal inter-digital fold of the index finger, and supported by the other fingers of the curetting hand. The thumbs serve to provide a stable base. This technique makes it possible to guide the instrument, applying greater pressure, but accuracy is reduced somewhat in so doing. In view of the sharpness of the curette, it should preferably be deployed only in cases of tough or hard skin changes.