Biopsy 1-2-3 in Dermatologic Surgery: Improving Smartphone Use to Avoid Wrong-site Surgery

The smartphone has become a ubiquitous tool in modern culture. Given the current high quality of smartphone cameras, they should be considered a valuable tool for the dermatologic surgeon in the pre-operative consultation. The purpose of this technical note is to describe a methodology using smartphone camera technology to improve the process for capturing biopsy site photographs and including those photos in decision making to maximize cutaneous surgical outcomes. This technical note describes a three-step procedure (BIOPSY 1-2-3) to simplify and standardize the protocol for capturing a biopsy site photograph using the patient's own smartphone. The steps are also intended to improve the resolution and value of the image. A case example is provided. Using the steps of BIOPSY 1-2-3, the case example biopsy site image is clearly identified compared to a less structured image. Using BIOPSY 1-2-3, biopsy site images taken by patient-owned smartphone cameras can empower and involve patients in their care, improve image quality, and reduce medical errors.