The history and contributions of the Spanish dermatosurgical school.

The origin of dermatologic surgery in Spain may be traced to the efforts of Professor Felipe de Dulanto, Initially the specialty encompassed only simple direct closure, local flaps, and skin grafts. As the field evolved, distant flaps and other techniques, including dermabrasion, cryosurgery, Mohs' surgery, and laser surgery, were added to the armamentarium. The close, interdepartmental relationships between Dermatology and Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and Gynecology allowed Spanish dermatologic surgery to expand and encompass lymph node dissections, complex reconstructions of the neck, eyelid, vulvar area, breasts, and abdomen.