Wound healing without complications and with minimal scarring is facilitated in minor surgical procedures by careful attention to basic surgical principles as reviewed in this article. "Langer's lines" represent the natural creases of the skin and are helpful in locating incisions. Whenever possible, incisions should be made in the skin crease, particularly in the neck or across moving parts. Some incisions, such as those required for drainage of pilonidal or perirectal abscesses, must be carefully located with specific reference to underlying structures.