Elliptical excisions should ideally be made with a #____ blade, initially cutting ____ to the skin.

• A. 5, Parallel to the skin
• B. 11, Perpendicular
• C. 20, Perpendicular
• D. 15, Perpendicular

Answer: (D)

The ability to make a clean, well-defined ellipse hinges on using a precise, controlled incision. A #15 blade is ideal for skin work because its small, curved edge lets you control the cut precisely in tight spaces, producing smooth margins. Starting with the cut perpendicular to the skin sets the depth and margin angle consistently, reducing tissue drag, jagged edges, and tearing that can happen if the blade is drawn along the surface. This initial perpendicular entry helps the ellipse outline be accurate and facilitates straightforward later closure with minimal distortion. Larger blades would be too bulky for fine skin margins, and starting parallel to the skin would create more surface trauma and irregular margins.