Techniques in Dermatologic Surgery

The dynamic nature of the medical sciences presents a constant challenge for the dermatologist, but the past 25 years havenecessitated a shift in approach to the profession. With the increasing influx of biological data, and developments indiagnostic and treatment techniques, our armamentarium has expanded to treat an increasing number of pathologies andenabled the vast advancement in corrective procedures. In addition, the recent prevalence of tumor pathologies-inparticular, the tumors of the skin-has resulted in a growing number of patients to seek out the dermatologist for treatment.Dermatologists are now required to continually update their knowledge of and techniques in dermatological surgery. Asmany as 350 pathologies can now be treated by surgery. Also dermatologists are now dealing with an increasing number ofcosmetic surgery treatments, which require the use of several devices (eg, lasers, ultrasounds, and radio frequencies, etc.).Such high-tech devices, and their evident biological action, can only be properly used by dermatologists after havingacquired the proper expertise. Many countries all over the world have developed communities: national societies,conferences, and educational outlets, to address these surgical topics. This textbook was written in the spirit of thesedermatological communities; as a tool to improve surgical knowledge and technique; and, mostly, to assist thedermatologist in meeting the rising medical needs of today's patient.