Abstract
About this talk
Dermatologic excision surgery is the cornerstone of outpatient dermatologic practice, providing both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits for a wide range of benign and malignant skin conditions. While generally considered safe, excisional procedures are not without risk, particularly in public tertiary hospitals where patients often present with advanced disease, multiple comorbidities, and limited access to consistent postoperative care. Data on postoperative outcomes in dermatologic surgery from low- and middle-income countries remain limited. This study aimed to describe the postoperative course of patients undergoing dermatologic excision surgery and to identify factors associated with the development of postoperative complications in a Philippine tertiary hospital.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using hospital records from the department of dermatology of a tertiary hospital in the Philippines from January 2014 to January 2024. All patients who underwent excision procedures during the study period were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative follow-up records were extracted. The presence of postoperative complications including erythema, wound dehiscence, surgical site infection, and pain were determined based on documented postoperative visits. The timing of complications and the presence of potential risk factors, such as age and type of wound closure, were assessed to evaluate their association with adverse outcomes.
Results showed that the majority of excision procedures were completed without significant adverse events, confirming the overall safety of dermatologic surgery in an outpatient setting. When complications occurred, they were predominantly minor and self-limited. The most frequently observed complications included erythema, wound dehiscence, localized infection, and postoperative pain. These complications were most commonly detected between the sixth and tenth postoperative days, underscoring the importance of this critical follow-up period. Older patients and those who underwent more complex wound closures demonstrated a higher likelihood of developing postoperative complications compared with younger patients and those with simpler closures.
In conclusion, dermatologic excision surgery in a tertiary public hospital setting is generally safe and well tolerated. However, a subset of patients, particularly older individuals and those requiring complex wound closures remain at increased risk for postoperative complications. These findings emphasize the need for vigilant postoperative monitoring, especially during the first two weeks after surgery, and support the implementation of structured follow-up protocols to facilitate early detection and prompt management of complications. Strengthening postoperative surveillance may further improve patient outcomes and optimize the quality of dermatologic surgical care in resource-limited settings.
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