A five year review of basal cell carcinoma excisions.

In the Tayside plastic surgical unit where this study was carried out, regular audits of all excised basal cell carcinomas have taken place routinely every three months for over ten years. A five-year review of excised basal cell carcinomas was undertaken between 1st February 1999 and 31st January 2004. A total of 3006 primary lesions were excised and the incomplete excision rate was 3.2%. This is low compared to other published series. The regions of the body from where these were excised are reported along with the histological subtypes of incompletely excised lesions and the further treatment of patients with incompletely excised lesions. Further treatment and follow-up of patients after surgically excised basal cell carcinoma is discussed. Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.