The ISDS was founded in 1978 in response to a need for a worldwide forum for dermatologists who offer surgical treatment to their patients.  In addition, the ISDS brings dermatologic surgeons together so they may exchange innovative techniques and work for standardization and improvement of training programs in dermatologic surgery.   Scientific meetings of the Society are held each year.  Physicians from as many as 62 countries attend these congresses.  The sharing of new surgical procedures, research and statistics is essential in the search for a more effective way to treat skin conditions.   The society keeps abreast their members of ISDS activities throughout the world, such as the 1st World Congress of Dermatologic & Aesthetic Surgery – the  38th Annual Meeting which will take place November 8-12, 2017 in Bangkok/Thailand.