Page 12 - SC4Q-2019-

LEARNING CUTTING EDGE:
CURVES

Dermatologic Surgery and Legal Issues

By: Dr. Joan Marie L. Zulaybar
“Dear God, these fragile hands that cut the flesh steady them as if at rest. Bless this patient yours and mine whose very
life is your design. Almighty God, I do pray guide my hand as I work today, Amen.” A surgeon’s prayer
he practice of Dermatology is not only
medical but also surgical, and the proper Learning Pearls:
Tdiagnosis and decision-making that 1. We must continue to not only see the
comes into managing surgical patients is not lesions but always see the patient
only a science but an art. The Skin and Cancer as a whole, especially as we give
Foundation, Inc. (SCFI) in cooperation with the management options to the patients
Dermatologic Surgery Subspecialty Core Group and determine what they are, and are
hosted the Continuing Medical Education (CME) not willing to undergo. This will help
conference centered on this theme “CUTTING The Opening Remarks by: Dr. Vermen M. Verallo-Rowell (left) us give tailor fit management, whether
EDGE: Dermatologic Surgery and Legal Issues”. The Closing Remarks by: Dr. Purita Paz-Lao (right) it is surgical, or non-surgical, and
The event was held last May 29, 2019 at the St. monotherapy or combination therapy.
Luke’s Medical Center – Global city. Accounted pearls for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin
for were 152 live attendees and 231 on webinar. cancer where she talked about different surgical, 2. Understanding basic anatomy is the
and briefly non-surgical, treatments and their
The conference commenced with an industry- advantages and disadvantages. Thereafter, key to giving appropriate surgical
management to each patient.
sponsored talk by Dr. Blossom Tian-Chan, Atty. Elizabeth Amelia V. Tianco, gave a lecture
where she reviewed treatment options and on Medico-legal issues in Dermatology, where 3. As dermatologists, the role of reassuring
psychologic effects of Acne vulgaris in an aptly she talked about the proper training of a surgical patients of their conditions,
titled “AIM for 0scar”. The CME proper started Dermatologist in the Philippines, standard of
with the welcome remarks firom the SCFI’s care, creation of a patient-physician relationship choosing the proper management for
Chairman Dr. Vermin M. Verallo-Rowell and and grounds for malpractice. The event closed that specific patient and managing
moderated by Dr. John Michael Dellariarte. with an open forum and a take home message expectations with proper advice are
Three compelling cases were presented by that as dermatologists, the role of reassuring incumbent.
second year residents of SCFI. The first case, surgical patients of their conditions, choosing
by Dr. Patricia Alessandra Cabral was on a the proper management for that specific patient 4. The key points to remember in the
37-year-old male with acne scars classified as and managing expectations with proper advice practice of Dermatology to avoid
severe, who underwent subcision and fillers. Dr. is incumbent. Also, we should continue to litigation is to have proper training
Jonathan Nevin Yu, gave a discussion on acne cultivate a good patient-doctor relationship and and qualifications, act according to
scars and new insights on how to treat them trust by respecting our patient’s confidentiality the standard of care, nurture strong
with algorithms, methods recommendations and building good rapport. Lastly, Dr. Peachy patient-physician relationships, behave
and precautions. The second case, presented Lao, the current president of the Philippine professionally and communicate
by Dr. Stephanie De Leon was on a 68-year- Dermatological Society, graciously gave her effectively.
old female diagnosed with Trichoepithelioma closing remarks.
where excision and grafting was done. Dr.
Charlene Ang-Tiu, followed with her tips and
considerations in closing nasal defects, where
she briefly discussed basic anatomy and talked
about specific experiences and cases that
she treated. The third case, presented by Dr.
Raphaela Martina Pineda was on an 84-year-
old male with squamous cell carcinoma in situ
where wide excision with purse string closure
was done. Dr. Eillen Luisa Chen then gave a The Open Forum with the Speakers and Moderator (left to right): Atty. Elizabeth Amelia V. Tianco, MD,
Drs. Eillen Luisa Chen, Charlene Ang-Tiu, Jonathan Yu, and Michael Dellariarte
thorough discussion on Dermatologic surgery

Awarding of certificates to the speakers: (L-R)
Atty. Elizabeth Amelia V. Tianco, MD, Drs. Peachy Lao,
Eillen Luisa Chen, Charlene Ang-Tiu, Jonathan Nevin Yu,
Vermèn M. Verallo-Rowell., Sylvia Jacinto,
and Jasmin Jamora. A well-attended forum with Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc. consultants and residents
Volume 16 Number 63 • SKIN CONTACT August 2019 • p12