Pediatric dermatologic surgery for the primary care pediatrician.

Surgical procedures on the skin are commonplace in the practice of pediatric dermatology. Dermatologists are trained in their residencies to perform office surgery, including biopsies, excisions with repairs, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, and laser surgery. Although most dermatologists treat patients of all ages, some treat children only. Within this group, some are concentrating on pediatric dermatologic surgery. Many dermatologists take additional training in dermatologic and laser surgery, treating both adults and children. New techniques and developing technology present pediatricians and dermatologists with many options in choosing the best and most appropriate treatment modalities.