Introduction/Aims
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our unit converted to a see and treat model for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), aiming to undertake complete excision at the first review. The intention was to reduce patient contact, to reduce the risk of virus transmission, whilst keeping waiting times to a minimum. This audit aimed to assess whether “See and treat” is an effective strategy and to determine whether it should continue following easing of lockdown restrictions.
Materials and Methods
300 patients were seen in ‘See and treat’ clinics from February to December 2021.
Results/Statistics
Initial analysis showed 81.9% of patients were treated during the first visit, with the main reason for treatment delay being anticoagulation. Average time from referral to treatment was 46.8 days. Of the lesions: 46.9% were BCCs, 21.2% were SCCs, 9.8% actinic keratosis, and 22.1% were a mixture of other types. 74.5% of the resultant defects were closed primarily, 12.3% were closed with local flaps, 7.1% left open to granulate, 2.5% grafted with Integra® and 2.8% closed with FTSG. The complete excision rate was 98.8%.
Conclusions/Clinical Relevance
This audit shows that the “See and treat” model is an effective and safe method for the management of NMSCs in an oral and maxillofacial surgery unit. Based on these results, we recommend that this strategy remains in place post-pandemic to reduce clinic appointments and waiting times. Pre-appointment screening could help to detect high risk patients (such as those on anticoagulation) and address these issues before the first visit, further increasing the efficiency of the system.