Dermatosurgery and medicines

Abstract:

In the past several years, dermatologic surgery has become increasingly popular and important in every day dermatological practice. The main advantage of dermatosurgery is its simplicity and effectiveness. Therefore, more and more dermatologists provide dermatosurgical treatments. Although medicines and dermatosurgery seem to be two opposite treatment approaches, the introduction of anaesthetics revolutionized surgery and enabled their major development. As increasing number of patients take blood thinning agents, we have to establish standards how to manage them preoperatively. Also, there are still no guidelines for prophylactic antimicrobial therapy during dermatologic surgery. To minimize the risk of complications, a complete patient history and physical examination is required. Dermatosurgery offers a number of treatments and procedures that can help patients. However, not every patient is a candidate for dermatosurgery and some other treatment may be a better option. In addition, dermatosurgery should not be used for the removal of undiagnosed skin lumps and swellings. 

Key words:
anesthetics, local; antibiotic prophylaxis; anticoagulants; dermatologic surgical procedures