GPfeedback

You can now follow HealthCert and our UQ courses and events on Facebook and Twitter. Keep up to date with all the latest course specials, news and current affairs in the skin cancer world and everything Skin Cancer related. The HealthCert Twitter and Facebook feeds are a great way to keep abreast of all Skin Cancer related material on the web.  Join the conversation.

www.facebook.com/HealthCert

www.twitter.com/HealthCertAust

"We have been very impressed with the Halo graft and have performed around 30 of these procedures in our practice. The beauty of the graft technique is that it is simple to do, the patient is immediately mobile and there's no need for hospitalization. Also post operative discomfort is minimal.

We use the technique as described by Dr. Sharad Paul, though we tend to use a 'shave biopsy' blade rather than a large scalpel blade. Pre operatively we have the patient wash the site for one week with an antiseptic wash, and if oedema is present request they wear surgical stockings daily. At the time of the procedure, we outline the appropriate markings before preparing and infiltrating with local anaesthetic.

Previously we performed a number of flap type procedures for NMSC on the lower limb including the Behan keystone flap. The difficulty here is vascular compromise and infection. Now unless we are treating melanoma, we virtually use the Halo graft exclusively for lower limbs if primary closure is not possible.

We have also used the technique for large scalp lesions normally requiring flap closure. (Where haemostasis can be a problem). Again we have been happy with the results."

Drs Graham Sivyer, John Salkeld and Denis O'Brien. Mermaid Beach Skin Diagnostic Centre Gold Coast

Shown are three photographs of excision of squamous cell carcinoma using the Halo graft (split skin) on a lower limb at operation and at 3 months.

EYE SPY QUIZ

The following images are macroscopic and dermoscopic views of a lesion on the back of a 65 year old female.

To go in the draw to win a free Skin Cancer Business Workshop registration (valued at $795) simple click here and tell us what you think it is.

CLOSING DATE: 30 April

Answer to Eye Spy

Thank you for your replies to our quiz.
Professor Giuseppe Argenziano supplied this is a tricky seborrheic  keratosis that simulates a Spitz nevus or a melanoma!

Winner: Dr Keith Monnington from NZ
Keith receives a complimentary Skin Cancer Business Management Workshop Registration
(Normally $795)

The photos show a large (20mm diameter) 'multifocal, solid and infiltrating basal cell carcinoma' on the scalp with excision using the Halo skin graft. Otherwise, the patient would have needed a very wide flap procedure to close the defect.

Submitted by Drs Graham Sivyer, John Salkeld and Denis O'Brien. Mermaid Beach Skin Diagnostic Centre, Gold Coast