Dermatologic surgery and cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and the post-partum period

Dermatologic surgery is changed in the pregnant and postpartum patient. The physiologic changes associated with pregnancy require attention to the timing of surgery as well as the positioning and technique to maximize the outcome for the patient. The surgeon must also remember the risks to the fetus or nursing newborn in planning any surgical procedure. This is the one time when there is more than one patient in every procedure. This article will review the timing of surgery, tumors of pregnancy, surgical positioning, local anesthetics, surgical technique, and cosmetic procedures. This information should help provide a safe surgical procedure for the mother and the child.