Conducting Dermatological Operations in Patients Who Have Previously Undergone Cardiac Surgery

Thoracic surgical procedures and the use of cardiac devices such as pacemakers are becoming increasingly common in the population. Therefore, dermatologists may be more likely to encounter previously implanted or discarded surgical material during a dermatological operation on the chest wall. A basic understanding of the types of wires and tunneling paths used in such procedures is essential to accurately predict the presence of these wires and effectively manage any chance encounters.

Dermatologists should be aware that temporary epicardial pacemaker electrodes and pacemaker electrodes often remain in the chest wall of many patients. All patients with a history of cardiac surgery should be asked about the possible presence of temporary epicardial electrodes in their body, and if such materials are found during the operation, it is necessary to immediately stop the procedure and do not undertake further manipulations with them until the material from which it is made is determined.

Specialists in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery need to document any abandoned wire in the patient's list of problems and inform the patient about the abandoned wire so that he or she can be an important source of clinical information.

Trying to pull out the remaining pacemaker electrodes is a serious risk, so dermatologist surgeons should not attempt it under any circumstances. When detecting wire material, it is necessary to determine the type and location of the material before any manipulation or pulling attempts. Once it is established that this is a non-functional, abandoned wire, it is necessary to apply the correct technique for removing it, which consists in gently pulling and securing the wire at the exit point. Accurate identification of the material is required in order not to interfere with the operation of the active device and not to abandon the operation unnecessarily.

The aim of the work is to consider the implementation of dermatological operations in patients who have previously undergone cardiac surgery.