The difficulty of evaluating abrasion methods of treating cutaneous pathologic entities is concerned with personalities. As has been said, "Those who are optimistic about planing are very optimistic but those who are pessimistic are very pessimistic." On theoretic grounds, I belong to the latter group. However, some of the advocates of this procedure were so enthusiastic that this modality was introduced into my therapeutic armamentarium
The precancerous skin has been a real problem. While keratoses and even epitheliomas can be eradicated successfully, recurrences in the treated or untreated areas damaged by x-radiation, sunlight, or tobacco are to be expected despite subsequent avoidance of these carcinogens. At tumor boards, plastic surgeons are advocating more frequently the excision of large damaged areas and the replacement of these tissues by the transplantation of normal skin. While this is successful, it is an extensive, expensive procedure. In addition, the grafted skin does