Shave procedures in the management of skin lesions where melanoma is a differential diagnosis.

Background: Australia has the world's highest melanoma incidence. Diagnostic aids improve melanoma diagnosis, but most lesions excised on suspicion of being melanoma are benign. Reliance on formal ellipse is common.

Guide to shave procedures in general practice.

Background: General practitioners manage a significant proportion of inflammatory and neoplastic skin conditions on a daily basis. Various surgical techniques can be employed to aid in diagnosis, including punch biopsies, shave biopsy, shave excision, incisional biopsy, curettage and formal excision with closure. Requiring minimal equipment, shave procedures are quick to perform, produce good cosmetic outcomes and minimise costs.

Development of melanoma clinical quality indicators for the Australian melanoma clinical outcomes registry (MelCOR): A modified Delphi study.

Background: Clinical quality registries aim to identify significant variations in care and provide anonymised feedback to institutions to improve patient outcomes. Thirty-six Australian organisations with an interest in melanoma, raised funds through three consecutive Melanoma Marches, organised by Melanoma Institute Australia, to create a national Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry (MelCOR). This study aimed to formally develop valid clinical quality indicators for the diagnosis and early management of cutaneous melanoma as an important step in creating the registry.

Recognising skin manifestations of rheumatological disease.

Background: An understanding of skin conditions associated with rheumatic diseases ensures accurate diagnosis and management. Cutaneous manifestations of rheumatological disease are legion.

Objective: The aim of this article is to increase clinician familiarity with the dermatological manifestations of rheumatic conditions to enable accurate diagnosis and effective management.

A guide to curettage and cautery in the management of skin lesions.

Background: Curettage and cautery is a procedure used for treatment of low-risk skin malignancies and pre-cancerous lesions. Given good lesion selection and technique, high cure rates and good cosmesis are routine for this quick, simple and cost-effective operation.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review and summarise the steps in managing carefully selected cutaneous lesions with curettage and cautery.