Surgical Site Identification with Personal Digital Device: A Prospective Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 7 March 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Leon Chen, Adam M. Parsons, Alexander B. Aria, Ana M. Ciurea, Anisha B. Patel, Christopher Chan, John R. Griffin, Tri H. Nguyen, Michael R. Migden
BackgroundVarious means to facilitate accurate biopsy site identification have been proposed.ObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of biopsy site identification using photos taken with a patient's digital device by a dermatologist versus professional medical photography.MethodsPhotographs of circled biopsy sites were taken with personal digital devices by the principal investigator (PI). Another set of photographs were taken by a professional photographer. Secondary photographs were taken of the biopsy site location pointed to by the staff and PI based on the personal digital device image and professional medical photography, respectively. Based on secondary photographs, two independent dermatologists determined if the skin biopsy locations pointed out by the staff were consistent with the ones pointed out by PI.ResultsPer Dermatologist A, the staff correctly identified all 53/53 biopsy sites. Per Dermatologist B, the staff were correct on 51/53 observations. Dermatologist C, the final arbiter, concurred with Dermatologist A in the two cases that Dermatologist B was not certain of the biopsy site location.LimitationsThe mean interval from initial biopsy to re-identification of the site was 36.2 days.ConclusionUtilizing patients' personal digital devices is a cost-effective, HIPAA compliant, and readily available means to identify skin biopsy sites.

Teaser

Many novel means of biopsy site identification have been proposed., This is a pilot study comparing the accuracy of biopsy site identification with personal digital device photography to professional medical photography., Personal digital device photography is a cost-effective, HIPPA complaint, and readily available means to accurately identify biopsy sites.