Minor surgery for GPs

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About the course

BMJ Learning offers a wide range of evidence-based learning modules on a variety of clinical specialties, covering the topics you face daily. These interactive modules will enable you stay up-to-date while training and testing your skills.

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Minor surgery carried out by GPs in the primary care setting has a number of benefits for both doctors and patients. Minor procedures, such as removing skin tags, can be performed on an ad hoc basis during a normal surgery. Generally, minor surgery falls into two distinct groups: Cutting procedures - such as excision followed by suturing; and Injections - into joints, muscles, varicose veins, and piles. This introductory series will focus on cutting procedures. Please note that you should learn all procedures and techniques by supervised practice before you start operating.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you should:

  • Understand the reasons for conducting minor surgery in the GP setting
  • Know what equipment you will need in order to conduct minor surgery
  • Be aware of the most common benign lesions that you will encounter in the GP setting
  • Be aware of the important malignant and premalignant lesions that you will have to refer to a specialist
  • Know the key principles of the following procedures in the GP setting:
  • Removing a seborrhoeic wart by curettage and chemical cautery
  • Removing a sebaceous cyst by elliptical excision
  • Removing a naevus by shave excision
  • Removing a small skin tag using a hyfrecator.

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