Pre-operative care in dermatologic surgery is aimed at preventing complications intra-and post-operatively. The clinical history will determine the need for additional tests for prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis, infection at the surgical site, and valvular and orthopedic prostheses. Diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension should be under control. Warfarin (keeping the INR within the therapeutic range) and acetylsalicylic acid (for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events) should be maintained. Other drugs should be evaluated. Monopolar electrosurgery should be avoided in patients using implantable electronic devices.

Keywords: PREOPERATIVE CARE; ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS; ANTICOAGULANTS; ELECTROSURGERY.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin tumor; even more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. It mainly affects patients over 60 years of age and can be an important factor for morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Its treatment should take into account the characteristics of the lesion and the patient's general condition. The authors' goal is to demonstrate that not carrying out the primary closure after tumor excision in the scalp is a therapeutic option in the treatment of high-risk tumors.

Keywords: CARCINOMA, SQUAMOUS CELL; SCALP; WOUND HEALING

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis supurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease whose mechanism is not yet fully understood. It has a direct impact on the quality of life of affected patients, but there is no well-established therapy for its treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of patients diagnosed with HS on adalimumab using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.
METHODS: Information was collected from patients with HS on adalimumab and standard DLQI questionnaires were applied before the beginning of treatment and at least 12 weeks after.
RESULTS: Of the three patients included, two presented decreased DLQI. Of these two, one showed significant improvement after treatment with adalimumab. The third patient showed worsening of this index.
CONCLUSIONS: The impact of hidradenitis supurativa on the quality of life of affected patients is significant and is related to factors other than adequate therapy. Life habits such as smoking and alcoholism, as well as the presence of other comorbidities, probably impact these indices. Affected patients should be assessed globally to determine the actual impact on the quality of life related to the disease in question. Thus, we suggest further studies with a larger number of patients.

Keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Quality of life; Indicators of quality of life

INTRODUCTION: The characteristics of acral melanoma (MA) diagnosed in Brazil are poorly studied.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the MA characteristics of patients diagnosed at the Dermatology Service in a referral hospital and to verify whether the possible differences between them would be important in determining the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
METHODS: The series was divided into localized and advanced disease. The patients were compared according to sex, color, age, thickness and level of invasion of the primary lesion, staging, and time from the tumor perception and doctor attendance.
RESULTS: Data analysis showed an increased frequency of MA in non-white patients, with a higher age range, but without significant differences. There were also no significant differences regarding sex and staging, as well as regarding the time from the tumor perception and doctor attendance.
CONCLUSIONS: MA occurs mainly in patients who are normally not aware of skin cancer (non-whites) and belong to a higher age group. This form of cancer is unknown to the general public; and in the medical population, the acral region, especially the feet, is overlooked on physical examination.

Keywords: Melanoma; Prognosis; Survival Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common non-melanoma malignancy in humans. Its superficial variant has specificities that can represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC) treated at a reference service and to correlate, statistically, clinical, dermoscopic, and anatomopathological characteristics.
METHODS: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted by collecting data from patients with suspected SBCC between November 2019 and October 2020.
RESULTS: In total, we confirmed 25 lesions as SBCC. They were more frequent in women, in the head and neck, and with a diameter of less than 1 cm. We also observed, in clinical characteristics, a predominance of individuals over 60 years old and with phototypes II and III. The anatomopathological examination observed some pigmentation in the lesions evaluated and a predominance of intra-epidermal keratinocytes in lesions with maple leaf-like areas in dermoscopy.
CONCLUSIONS: SBCC can present clinically as a pigmented lesion, affecting more the head and neck regions. Lighter skin phototypes are more likely to have SBCC with pigmented dermoscopic structures. Intra-epidermal keratinocytes possibly correlate with the formation of maple leaf structures.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Dermoscopy; Epidemiology; Skin Neoplasms; Pathology