Surgical planing of the skin; complications and reevaluation of indications.

Abstract

One hundred plastic planing operations on the skin by means of a motor-driven wire brush were reviewed. Complications noted were pruritic erythematous eczematous dermatitis on a possible autosensitization basis, hyperpigmentation and milia. These occurred in a small proportion of cases and in no case were they permanent sequelae. Flat postacne scarring is more easily improved than steep "ice-pick" type scars. The planing procedure is contraindicated in the management of certain tumors of the skin, portwine nevi, decorative tattoos, and generalized dermadromes. The psychiatric and emotional impact of the patient's scarring on his personality is often a great one and the operator must bear in mind that plastic planing is no panacea for a severely neurotic patient. Therefore it is important that patients be carefully selected and that improvement rather than complete cure be stressed.

• Authors: W L MARMELZAT
• Journal: California medicine (Calif Med) Vol. 84 Issue 3 Pg. 155-6 (Mar 1956) ISSN: 0008-1264 [Print] United States
• PMID: 13304668 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Plastics

Topics

• Animals
• Cicatrix
• Dermatologic Surgical Procedures
• Eczema
• Emotions
• Epidermal Cyst
• Humans
• Hyperpigmentation
• Personality
• Plastics
• Port-Wine Stain
• Plastic Surgery Procedures
• Skin
• Surgery, Plastic
• Ursidae