Cutaneous surgery in the elderly: ensuring comfort and safety.

Increasingly, cutaneous surgeons are asked to treat cancers and the visible signs of aging in extremely elderly patients. While many elderly patients have functional status similar to that of younger patients, some older patients may have co-morbities and special needs that must be monitored and accommodated by the skin surgeon. A rational approach to surgery can increase the comfort and safety of surgery in such patients. Overall, cutaneous surgery is well-tolerated in even the oldest patients.