Can dermatologists help save the planet?

According to the British Society for Dermatological Surgery, simple aprons and nonsterile gloves should be considered in MMS and minor skin surgeries to improve sustainability practices. Therefore, between August 2020 and September 2022, we utilized two plastic aprons, one nonsterile glove pair (tumour-extirpation) and one sterile glove pair (reconstruction) in place of complete sterile PPE. No surgical gowns were used. Of the 410 MMS procedures conducted, only 1.7% (n = 7) had a minor postoperative surgical-site infection. Our data suggest that there are no significant differences in postoperative wound infections when using nonsterile PPE vs. sterile PPE in MMS. We encourage such safe, sustainable practices to help save the planet we live on!