Scalpel sculpturing techniques for graft revision and dermatologic surgery.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative scars can be revised by a variety of techniques, including dermabrasion, laser, curettage, razor blade, and scalpel surgery. Most modern methods of scar revision provide good results but at the expense of time and economy.


OBJECTIVE
We present our scalpel sculpting technique that uses the #15 scalpel blade to microshave and feather the skin edges to equalize differences in skin elevations caused by uneven healing. The superficial wounds then heal by second intention.


METHODS
Sculpting techniques were used to revise side-to-side closures (grafts and flaps), trap-door elevations, standing tricones and hypertrophic scars. In addition, we used the sculpting technique to remove superficial blemishes such as actinic and seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, and other benign lesions.


RESULTS
We have used scalpel sculpting techniques to revise scars and remove blemishes for more than 5 years. We have removed thousands of skin imperfections with very gratifying results.


CONCLUSIONS
Scalpel sculpting techniques provide a simple, efficient method of scar revision and removal of superficial skin lesions. The technique reduces operative time and streamlines instrument reprocessing. Because of its simplicity, there is a high degree of patient, nursing, and physician satisfaction.
Snow
S N
SN
Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53705.
Stiff
M A
MA
Lambert
D R
DR
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000601:surgery; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012086:Reoperation; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014945:Wound Healing