Errors in Surgical Site Identification during Cutaneous Surgery for Skin Cancer: Review and Recommendations

Abstract

Surgical error due to\rincorrect identification of the surgical site has been known to occur right\rfrom the beginning of surgical practice through the ages. However, increasing\rawareness, preventative efforts and risks of litigation have not eliminated\rthis problem. Cutaneous surgery for skin cancer makes up a large proportion of\rprocedures performed each year and it is often difficult to correctly identify\rbiopsy sites, especially as this is not easy in sun-damaged skin. In this\rreview article, we review the incidence of wrong-site surgery, measures taken\rby professional bodies, and the use of photography and newer technologies in an\rattempt to eliminate this distressing event in the field of plastic and\rdermatologic surgery. The purpose of this review is to highlight the incidence\rof such surgical site identification errors, evaluate the risk factors, and\reducate the surgeon about measures that can be undertaken to avoid being faced\rwith such a situation.