Background:The incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers is increasing in the United Kingdom. Surgical excision carries the highest cure rates for all skin cancers and is the first-line treatment for melanomas and high-risk nonmelanoma cancers. This is most commonly performed by general practitioners (GPs), dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.Objective:The aim of this study was to identify which health-care professionals achieve the best outcomes following surgical excision of skin cancer lesions.Materials and Methods:A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library and PubMed databases was conducted. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to throughout.Results:Six studies were identified and reviewed. Dermatologists were most likely to excise lesions adequately, and GPs were the least likely. Dermatologists displayed the greatest diagnostic accuracy, and excisions led by them had the highest overall and disease-free survival rates. Plastic surgeons were most likely to excise complex lesions on difficult-to-treat areas.Conclusion:Dermatologists can excise many skin lesions adequately, but plastic surgeons should continue to take an active role in complex or anatomically challenging lesions. There is a need for more validated training for GPs in the management of skin cancers. Further studies incorporating a randomized control protocol are needed to definitely assess who is best placed to surgically excise these lesions.

Background:The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and subsequent thumb disability is rising. Abductor pollicis longus tendon interposition arthroplasty (APLTIA) has gained popularity as a procedure to alleviate pain and restore thumb function. Methods:A systematic review was performed to assess the current reported outcomes of APLTIA. Inclusion criteria involved clinical studies with caseseries as the minimal accepted level of evidence. Our primary outcome focussed on PROMs data, whilst secondary outcomes focussed on objective measures of function and complications. Papers investigating pathologies other than CMC OA or procedures other than APLTIA were excluded.Results: Twelve studies were included (485 thumbs), all of which were observational in study design. APLTIA appears to be associated with a reduction in pain and functional improvement. APLTIA was not found to complicate further surgery. Conclusion:APLTIA may be associated with improvement in short-term pain relief and functional status. Further research is required to evaluate the benefits, duration of relief and long-term outcomes of APLTIA.

No abstract