A resident’s guide to skin cancer minor surgery

Local anesthetic skin cancer surgery is essential diagnostically and therapeutically in dermatology and plastic surgery. Proper training requires vigilant oncological control and the implementation of optimal reconstructive principles. This article illustrates key principles of the surgical approach to resection and reconstruction of a skin cancer defect. These techniques aim to optimize patient comfort, reduce the risk of inadvertent oncological compromise and highlight approaches to reconstruction in different anatomical areas. Local anesthetic skin cancer surgery is essential in the treatment of skin cancer. It also offers an opportunity for even the most junior resident doctors to perform minor procedures. Improved understanding of ways to maintain oncological control and how to approach reconstruction in different anatomical areas is essential to optimizing patient-centered outcomes and improving the confidence of those performing the surgery.