Isotretinoin and dermatosurgical procedures

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Dermatologic Surgery
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Early reports linked oral isotretinoin use to adverse skin healing outcomes after dermatosurgery, including keloid and hypertrophic scarring.
• Recent studies have challenged the validity of this association, prompting a re-evaluation of existing clinical recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review existing literature on the safety of dermatosurgical procedures in patients undergoing oral isotretinoin therapy.
• To assess the evidence supporting or refuting the association between oral isotretinoin and impaired wound healing or scar formation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and analysis of published studies investigating dermatosurgical outcomes in patients on oral isotretinoin.
• Evaluation of the quality and sufficiency of evidence from early reports versus recent investigations.

Main Results:

• The initial recommendations to avoid dermatosurgery in patients on oral isotretinoin were based on inadequate and insufficient evidence.
• Recent studies indicate that dermatosurgical procedures can be performed safely in patients using oral isotretinoin.

Conclusions:

• The contraindication for dermatosurgery in patients on oral isotretinoin requires revision.
• Current evidence supports the safety of performing dermatosurgical procedures in patients undergoing oral isotretinoin treatment.