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Introduction: Currently, only little data is available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inpatient dermatosurgical care in German dermatological clinics., Methods: A retrospective analysis of all dermatosurgical cases that were treated in inpatient setting in nine German dermatological clinics in four federal states in 2019, 2020 and 2021 was performed. The diagnoses were recorded using the ICD-10 codes. In addition, demographic data such as age, gender and the length of inpatient stay were analysed., Results: In 2019, 2020 and 2021, a total of 10,739, 9185 and 9828 dermatosurgical inpatients were treated respectively. Thus, the reduction of inpatient dermatosurgical cases was 14.5% in 2020 and 8.5% in 2021 compared to 2019. Inpatient surgical treatment of melanoma decreased by 10.1% of cases in 2020. This decrease was only 1.4% in 2021 compared to 2019. The number of inpatient surgeries performed for benign lesions such as melanocytic nevi or viral warts reduced sharply in both pandemic years., Conclusion: Our data show for the first time how inpatient care for the entire spectrum of dermatosurgical diseases developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. After the initial marked decline in inpatient dermatosurgical cases in 2020, there was less difference in 2021 compared to 2019. This trend can be interpreted as an indication that there is still a strong need for inpatient dermatosurgical care that cannot yet be met on an outpatient basis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: We identified substantial heterogeneity in the perioperative management of antithrombotic drugs in skin surgery in Germany in 2012 and 2017 in two cross-sectional surveys. The first national guideline on this subject was published in 2014 and updated in 2021. We sought to identify whether the management of these drugs had changed., Methods: We sent a paper-based survey to 1115 dermatologists throughout Germany asking them about their perioperative management of antithrombotic drugs in skin surgery, as well as their familiarity with the guideline., Results: We received responses from 65 hospital- and 202 office-based dermatologists. Most dermatologists reported continuing antithrombotic drugs in their patients when performing minor surgeries. A notable proportion of dermatologists reported discontinuing phenprocoumon treatment perioperatively and bridging patients with heparin when performing more invasive surgeries. Continuation was less common during combination therapies., Conclusions: The proportion of physicians in Germany who reported managing antithrombotic drugs during skin surgery in ways that are in concordance with the national guideline has increased since 2012. However, continuing antithrombotic drugs during large excisions and sentinel lymph node biopsies, abstaining from bridging patients on phenprocoumon with heparin, and continuing antithrombotic combination therapies perioperatively need to be further encouraged, especially among office-based dermatologists., (© 2022 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Local and regional anesthetic procedures are an integral part of daily dermatological practice. Safe and effective analgesia in skin and soft tissues is crucial for otherwise painful diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Tumescent local anesthesia allows for pain-free interventions that previously had to be done by using general anesthesia. Older patients with multiple co-morbidities are especially suited for local anesthetic procedures, because they may significantly reduce surgical risks. For dermatologists, the knowledge of mode of action and toxicity of local anesthetics, as well as the emergency management of their potential complications, is essential., (© The Authors • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag GmbH, Berlin.)

In this paper an application for incision planning, AR-visualization of plan data and model-based analysis of the modified anatomical structure due to realization of the planned incision is presented. The developed algorithm detects modifications of the acquired surface model and generates a parameterized description of the wound.

Outpatient surgery in dermatology is likely to become increasingly important in future, for a number of reasons. Current social legislation favors outpatient surgery, because hospitals must justify performing any procedure in the outpatient catalogue on an inpatient basis. The range of conditions being treated is also broadening, for example due to the growing popularity of aesthetic enhancement procedures. Epidemiological trends in skin cancer will also lead to considerable growth in demand for outpatient dermatological surgery. This article analyses current trends in ambulatory dermato-surgery, taking into account social, legislative, hygienic, legal and economic aspects. Measures to promote quality assurance are also described. The difficult cost situation facing outpatient surgery is creating a need for new forms of cooperation between primary care physicians and hospitals.