The science of medicine is dynamic and continuously evolving therefore, a doctor should never stop learning. At present, the need for skilled dermatologists who are experts in procedural dermatology is increasing. The performance of proper and safe procedures is truly indispensable. To fill in the gaps, the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) Department of Dermatology Dermatologic Surgery Unit, spearheaded by the unit’s head, Dr. Agnes Epinoza-Thaebtharm, in cooperation with the Skin Research Foundation of the Philippines had its 13^th Annual Basic Dermatologic Surgery Course and Workshop. The event was held on December 7, 2019 at the Unilab Bayanihan Center Annex, Mandaluyong City. The program was formally opened by the JRRMMC Department of Dermatology Chairperson, Dr. Ma. Flordeliz Abad-Casintahan and was moderated by Dr. Ma. Cricelda Rescober-Valencia. This workshop was well attended with 86 participants.

The morning session offered a series of relevant, substantial and comprehensive topics given by distinguished speakers that equipped the participants with knowledge and skills essential to the diagnosis and treatment of various cutaneous dermatologic cases such as  Surgical Anatomy of the  Face and Neck (by Konrad P. Aguila, MD, FPSO-HNS, FPSCS), Pre-operative Assessment (by Stephen F. Lacson, MD, FPDS, DPADSFI), Instrumentation and Materials (by Krisinda Dim-Jamora, MD, FPDS, FPADSFI, ACMS, FAADV), Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Asepsis & Antisepsis Techniques (by Ma. Cricelda Rescober-Valencia, MD, FPDS), Topical Anesthesia, Local & Regional Blocks (by Juan P. Sanchez, MD, FPCS, FPAPRAS), Wound Healing (by Gerald C. Sy, MD, FPCS, FPAPRAS, MBA), Hemostasis and Post-operative Management (by Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores, MD, FPDS, FPADSFI) and Nail Surgery (by Carolyn Chua-Aguilera, MD, FPDS). The speakers also conducted active discussions with the attendees to clarify some details presented during the lectures. In the afternoon, the delegates had a hands-on workshop of different suturing techniques. The session was facilitated by Dr. Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores and Dr. Ma. Cricelda Rescober-Valencia and who were assisted by the Dermatologic Surgery Unit members. Live demonstrations were given by the said facilitators and correct practices, indications and the advantages & disadvantages of each technique were tackled as well.

PEARLS THAT THE AUDIENCE DERIVED FROM THE CME:

• Knowledge in the anatomy of the face and neck are important in the assurance of efficient & safe procedures, obtaining optimal aesthetic reconstruction, understanding of lymphatic drainage and anticipation of metastatic spread of cutaneous malignancies.
• A complete patient history and a comprehensive medication list are important to predict adverse outcomes and complications in dermatologic surgery.
• Good investment in surgical instruments will greatly benefit dermatologists in the performance of correct and precise surgical techniques.
• Most wounds in dermatologic surgery do not require antibiotics. Routine use of antibiotics postoperatively is discouraged due to risk of developing microbial antibiotic resistance.
• Addition of epinephrine to local anesthesia produces vasoconstriction that prolongs duration of anesthesia by 100-200%, minimizes intraoperative bleeding and decreases the volume of anesthesia needed.
• Firm pressure over a bleeding wound for 15-20 minutes will achieve hemostasis for most vessels.
• Wound healing occurs in four phases: Hemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation and Remodeling.
• In the selection of an appropriate wound dressing, one must consider the need for absorption of exudate (foams and alginates), need for additional moisture (hydrogels) and whether its epithelial edges can tolerate subtle trauma that comes from removal of the adhesive dressing.
• Electrosurgery and suture ligation for hemostasis should be precise.
• Nail surgery requires careful patient selection to prevent unnecessary complications.

The event was evaluated by each participant at the end of the workshop and most of the comments included words of gratitude and encouragement. Because of this, the JRRMMC Department of Dermatology Dermatologic Surgery Unit always strive to continuously come up with and organize courses and workshops that will help dermatologists update their knowledge and skills.