The Kerf-Cut Dressing: Application of a Woodworking Technique for Efficient Postsurgical Wound Care

BACKGROUND: Simple surgical excision is one of the most common treatment methods in the dermatologist's armamentarium. We describe a precise postsurgical dressing technique that can be used for wound care of those patients whose treatment involves removal of lesions via cutaneous surgery. OBJECTIVE: To devise a novel, precise, and effective dressing technique for postsurgical wound care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe the technique using common in-office instruments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Wound dressings for lesions located on curved areas such as the ears, nose, cheeks, and chin often exhibit less than adequate adherence and stability. The kerf-cut dressing technique optimizes pliability of dressing tape, and this maximizes efficient and stable application of postsurgical wound dressings to curved areas of the body.