Biopsy Procedure

in Patient Advice
on 19 February 2019

Following a biopsy procedure the following patient care which was discussed with you by A/Prof Stubbs is listed for your reference

Before the biopsy, 

  1. It is important for you to maintain your normal diet intake
  2. If you are taking a regular anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or nurofen please ensure you have listed these medications on your medical history form
  3. If you are taking a blood thinning medication please do not stop your medication but ensure it is listed on your medical history form

After the biopsy

  1. Your mouth will feel some discomfort and generally A/Prof Stubbs will prescribe you an analgesic at the time of the biopsy for you to use after the procedure. The use of medicines such as Panadeine forte are a prescribed medicine and instructions on its use will be given to you at the time of the procedure. It is important that this medicine is taken 1-2 tablets 4-6 hours as needed but no more that 8 tablets in a 24 hour period. If you are taking this medicine it is also important to avoid alcohol and care if using machinery or driving even the potential for the medicine to cause some drowsiness
  2. Usually dissolving stitches are placed to enable good healing of the tissue and assist in ensuring the area does not bleed after the procedure. Should a stitch break the use of the sterile gauze pad over the area for a good thirty minutes to stop any oozing
  3. Soft diet is advised for the day of the procedure, but maintaining a normal dietary intake is very important especially if you are a diabetic patient. A/Prof Stubbs will discuss this with you further at the time of the biopsy procedure
  4. You can drink coffee/tea after the biopsy but care is needed in regards to the hot temperature, especially if you are still numb so as not to burn yourself
  5. The following day you should use a salt water mouthwash and rinse your mouth before spitting out carefully, two to three times a day for two to three days. The salt water mouthwash can be made up with a teaspoon of salt dissolved into a glass of warm water (usually 250ml)
  6. The review follow up visit which is made at the time of the procedure is included in the cost of the procedure and is important to enable discussion of the results and what the treatment will be. It also is important for the treatment site to be reviewed by A/Prof stubbs to ensure it is healing well