Medical emergencies in the dermatology office: incidence and options for crisis preparedness.

Medical emergencies may occur in any setting, including dermatology offices. We examined the incidence of medical emergencies in a survey of 34 dermatologists northeast Ohio. Fifty-five events occurred over 565 combined years of clinical practice, an incidence of 1 episode every 10.3 years. We also review options for better preparedness for medical emergencies in dermatology practices, ranging from an emergency action plan for emergency personnel, basic life support (BLS) certification, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, and on-site automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs).

Hidradenitis suppurativa: successful treatment using carbon dioxide laser excision and marsupialization.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disease associated with significant patient morbidity and less-than-ideal therapies. OBJECTIVES: To determine the long- and short-term benefits of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser excision and marsupialization in the management of persisent lesions of HS. METHODS: Patients with long-standing lesions of HS were treated using a CO(2) laser to excise inflammatory and draining masses. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five areas were treated in 61 patients using the CO(2) laser excision and marsupialization technique in 154 sessions. Local anesthesia was used for all but three sessions. Healing occurred primarily through secondary intention. In follow-up from 1 to 19 years, acceptable to excellent qualities of healing occurred. Recurrence within the treated area occurred in two of 185 sites treated. CONCLUSION: CO(2) laser excision and marsupialization appears to be an effective therapy for management of persisent or late-stage HS. There was good patient comfort during and after treatment, lower costs than with inpatient modalities, good healing, and minimal risk of recurrence within the treated areas.