Dermatology and Skin Care Sciences

Dermatologic Surgery: Techniques and Complication Management

Dermatologic surgical procedures in the lower extremity may lead to complications for podiatric patients. Sharing insights from their experience and the literature, these authors discuss how to prevent complications including infection, coagulation issues, wound dehiscence, scarring and pain.Complications during dermatologic surgery are not uncommon events and taking the correct steps early in management can prevent significant morbidity for the patient. Although there are stringent postoperative protocols to combat improper wound healing, it is important to be aware of the potential surgical complications that may arise with patients. Surgical complications may range from life-threatening to acute with potential complications including cardiorespiratory arrest, anaphylaxis and cardiac arrhythmias. Complications also may be limited to improper wound healing due to superinfection, wound dehiscence and necrosis, or an undesirable aesthetic outcome of a scar. Proper patient history gathering prior to any surgical procedure is fundamental to minimizing serious complications. Adhering to proper sterile technique during surgical procedures in combination with thorough postoperative instructions is key to preventing complications from dermatologic surgeries.1 Conducting dermatologic surgeries with careful consideration of the potential complications that may arise is an effective prevention measure.