Dr. Blatiere

DermaClose® Case – Patient KP, BCCA of back, Surgeon – Wilke
Patient KP is 47 yo WM.  Referred by primary physician after biopsy of lesion from right posterior shoulder revealed basal cell carcinoma.  This was an area measuring 3.0 X 2.5cm.  Excision planned as staged procedure utilizing Dermaclose because of the size of planned excision and the skin tension in the area.

The margins of the lesion were somewhat indistinct, so a 5mm margin of excision was planned to ensure complete removal.  This made the total excision defect size 3.0 X 3.5cm.  Excision was performed under local anesthesia, and after excision the defect was measured to be 3 X 4cm.  The Dermaclose was applied and tension set, a dressing applied, and the patient discharged to home.  He returned the next day for repair.  He reported minimal discomfort.  The dressing was removed the next day, and under local anesthesia again, the Dermaclose was removed and the wound easily repaired in layers with deep sutures of 2-0 Vicryl, and a running subcuticular skin closure using 2-0 Vicryl.  Steri strips and a small dressing was applied. 

He was seen in clinic 6 days later.  There was noted to be a small (approx. 1cm), superficial opening in the center of the wound, but no signs of infection, and the patient was doing well.  He was instructed to keep the wound clean, use soap and water, and apply Bacitracin ointment.  Twelve days later it was healing uneventfully, and 2 weeks after that it was fully healed and photos were obtained.