Surgical Pearl: Hemostasis assisted with two skin hooks

Surgical Pearl: Localized pressure from routine surgical instruments provides safe and effective temporary hemostasis

“…This temporary hemostasis is most often achieved by finger-pressure while lifting the wound-edge with a hook. 6 Here we describe a simple extension and refinement of the local pressure technique for temporary hemostasis that does not require a finger in proximity of the wound.…”

Disposable skin hook

“…The skin hook is a common surgical instrument used in the day‐to‐day practice of surgical dermatology. It is mainly used for retracting wound edges, repair of dog ear defects, 4 and to achieve hemostasis 5 . The traditional stainless steel skin hook costs more than $5.00, which is around 250 times more expensive than the self‐designed skin hook described here.…”

Using Ringed Scissor Handles to Dry the Operative Field

“…The use of rim pressure can achieve immediate, even if temporary, containing of the hemorrhage, allowing the surgeon to detect promptly its source and to coagulate it via electrocautery. This task can be accomplished by the surgeon by using two skin hooks to evert the undermined skin flap against his finger (2), but this can pose a risk for needle injury from the hook. We usually use a simple and effective method for achieving hemostasis with ordinary instruments and without any risk for the dermatologist.…”