The scope of dermatologic surgery is so wide that inevitably a large number and variety of complications arise. Of course the majority of complications can be prevented by careful preoperative preparation, meticulous surgical technique, and proper postoperative care, but when they do occur, they can be recognized and managed with skill and competence. This book provides a valuable source of reference for the prevention, recogni­ tion, and management of complications in dermatologic surgery. Avoiding pro­ blems is at least as important as dealing with them, and so all the chapters in this book deal with both prevention and management. This book addresses dermatologic surgeons in practice or in training and to surgeons in other specialties who may be required to undertake repair of skin defects. Many ofthe authors accepted the responsibility of contributing to this work in addition to their many other obligations. For this, I am extremely grateful to them. MARwALI HARAHAP Contents Local Anesthesia and Regional Anesthesia George B. Winton ...................................................... 1 Electrodesiccation and Curettage Harvey Finkelstein and Robert Jackson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 16 . . . . . . . .