Abstract:
Surgical error due to incorrect identification of the surgical site has been known to occur right
from the beginning of surgical practice through the ages. However, increasing awareness, preventative
efforts and risks of litigation have not eliminated this problem. Cutaneous surgery for skin
cancer makes up a large proportion of procedures performed each year and it is often difficult to
correctly identify biopsy sites, especially as this is not easy in sun-damaged skin. In this review article,
we review the incidence of wrong-site surgery, measures taken by professional bodies, and
the use of photography and newer technologies in an attempt to eliminate this distressing event in
the field of plastic and dermatologic surgery. The purpose of this review is to highlight the incidence
of such surgical site identification errors, evaluate the risk factors, and educate the surgeon
about measures that can be undertaken to avoid being faced with such a situation.
