Ellipse planning

The course is divided into two detailed units, covering all aspects of elliptical excision planning and execution.

Unit 1: Fundamental Principles of Ellipse Planning
This unit introduces the key elements of designing an elliptical excision:
- Elliptical Design Basics: Learn to create gum-leaf-shaped excisions with appropriate margins to ensure complete cancer removal.
- Skin Tension and Orientation: Understand the role of skin tension lines, anatomical considerations, and patient positioning to minimise tension and achieve cosmetically favourable scars.
- Hands-On Techniques: Explore tools and techniques for preoperative planning, including the wobble test and pinch test, to assess skin mobility and closure feasibility.
- Closure Priorities: Focus on achieving smooth closures with minimal tension, using effective suturing techniques and avoiding complications like dog ears or tension scars.

Unit 2: Advanced Ellipse Techniques for Specific Areas
This unit delves into applying elliptical excisions across complex anatomical regions:
- Facial Excisions: Address unique challenges on the face by aligning excisions with natural creases and using functional tests (e.g., raising eyebrows or bearing teeth) to hide scars effectively.
- Challenging Zones: Learn to handle “tiger country” areas with high anatomical risks, such as the temple, mandible, and Erb’s point, while avoiding critical nerves and blood vessels.
- S-Plasty and Curve Modifications: Optimize excisions by incorporating curved or scalloped designs to preserve healthy tissue and improve cosmetic outcomes on areas like limbs and joints.
- Hand and Joint Considerations: Plan excisions that account for functional demands and postoperative movements, ensuring long-term durability and healing.

Through interactive videos, live demonstrations, and expert discussions, this course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to confidently perform elliptical excisions with precision, addressing both medical and aesthetic goals.

1. Decide how to perform safe elliptical excisions in all anatomical regions with appropriate margins based on NHMRC guidelines.
2. Plan surgical procedures in a simulated setting, including suturing techniques (simple interrupted, buried dermal, sliding dermal, vertical/horizontal mattress, Mirini sutures, pulley dermal sutures, half-buried horizontal mattress and continuous) and suturing on paper-thin skin, curettage and cautery, elliptical excisions, biopsies, lower leg grafts.

All degree qualified medical practitioners.