Punch biopsy (also known as punch) is an Ambulatory Surgery procedure, i.e. a procedure that is performed under local anesthesia, without the need for hospitalization of the patient.

Punch biopsy should be preceded by a surgical or dermatologic examination to assess the surgical indication for excision and its feasibility on an outpatient basis. Sometimes, targeted ultrasound is necessary to better assess the most appropriate mode of surgical excision. Specific preoperative examinations are not normally required for ambulatory surgery.

For surgeries such as the removal of a skin lesion or body neoformation, there is no anesthesiologist present. However, the surgeon is supported by an instrumentation nurse specialist on an outpatient basis during procedures.

The excised skin neoformation is then sent to a specialized laboratory for histological examination to ascertain its nature and determine the continuation of treatment.

The surgeon performing the surgery will decide whether to suture the wounds with resorbable stitches, which therefore do not need to be removed, or nonresorbable, which require their removal after 8 to 15 days depending on the surgical site. The removal of stitches may be performed in the surgical outpatient clinic or by the general practitioner.