Preparation for surgical treatment

This course is divided into two comprehensive units:

Unit 1: Preparation and Principles
This unit introduces the foundational principles for preparing patients for skin cancer surgery. It covers essential aseptic techniques, ensuring sterile equipment and clean environments. Participants will also learn about local anaesthesia, its proper use, and the importance of reducing patient discomfort. The unit provides insights into controlling bleeding during surgery, wound closure techniques, suture selection, and when to remove sutures. Additionally, it covers the use of prophylactic antibiotics and handling patients on anticoagulants​.

Unit 2: Biopsy Techniques
In this unit, participants will explore the key aspects of punch and shave biopsies. The unit includes step-by-step guidance on performing punch biopsies, focusing on how to achieve optimal tissue sampling for accurate pathological diagnosis. Participants will also learn when and how to perform shave biopsies, with an emphasis on ensuring the best cosmetic outcomes and minimising scarring.

This course equips healthcare professionals with the skills to perform skin cancer surgeries and biopsies with confidence and precision, enhancing patient care in primary settings.

1. Plan treatment options for commonly occurring skin cancers.
2. Outline the foundations of surgery: principles of wound management, asepsis, surgery set-up, local anaesthesia, sutures and dressings.

Suitable for all degree qualified medical practitioners.