Instrumentation for the dermatologic surgeon

Because dermatologic surgery continues to enjoy widespread popularity as a leading treatment modality for skin disease, the skill and training of the surgeon are critical to patient care. Equally important, however, are the tools the surgeon uses to perform each particular procedure. Surgical instrumentation has often been a confusing subject for the novice surgeon, one in which personal preference often outweighs technical considerations. This article will present the advantages and short-comings of several instruments that constitute the basic armamentarium of the dermatologic surgeon.