What does the term “dermatologic surgery” embrace?

Dermatologic surgery is a somewhat generic term, used to describe a variety of procedures, most commonly performed by dermatologists with specialized training in these procedures. This includes the surgical removal of tumors, both benign and malignant, with repair of the subsequent defects by simple side-to-side closure, flaps, or grafts; Mohs micrographic surgery (see Chapter 53); cryosurgery (see Chapter 52); laser treatment of vascular and pigmented skin lesions and tattoos (see Chapter 54); laser skin resurfacing for photodamaged skin; and techniques such as dermabrasion, chemical peeling, sclerotherapy, hair transplantation, liposuction, and soft tissue augmentation. Many of these procedures were pioneered by dermatologists. Several excellent textbooks have been devoted to dermatologic surgery.


Fewkes JL, Cheney ML, Pollack SV: Illustrated atlas of cutaneous surgery, New York, 1992, Gower Medical Publishing. Lask GP, Moy RL: Principles and techniques of cutaneous surgery, New York, 1996, McGraw-Hill.

Lawrence C: An introduction to dermatological surgery, London, 1996, Blackwell Science.

Wheeland RG: Cutaneous surgery, Philadelphia, 1994, WB Saunders.