Skin over the node is cleaned with antiseptic then injected with a local anesthetic. With the scalpel, the surgeon makes an incision through the skin. The entire lymph node is removed and placed in the specimen bottle. Sutures are used to close the skin. They may be removed 3 or 4 days after surgery.
Sterile dressing is applied to the biopsy site.
Tissue is sent to the laboratory for analysis. After the test Immediate post-test care Recovering from a local anesthetic, your vital signs are checked and pain medication provided, if needed. Recovering from a general anesthetic, your vital signs are checked every 30 minutes for the first 4 hours, every hour for the next 4 hours then every 4 hours. A pressure dressing is applied to the biopsy. Activity after test Resume normal diet.