Eastern Cape Dermatology surgery training/outreach report 2024
Background on the necessity of the training
Procedural dermatology has become an integral and essential component of dermatology practice globally. The rapid rise in demand for procedural dermatology has not been paralleled with a proportionate increase in trained personnel.
This has resulted in unsupervised procedures done by untrained and unqualified practitioners often resulting in serious potential consequences. Many of these procedures warrant the application of sound scientific principles on a background of detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the skin; they also require standard operating protocols.
How it all started
Dermatology training in the Eastern cape has grown across the province and that led to a growing interest to procedural dermatology. We tapped into the opportunity that was presented to us by the SASDS where Basic and Advanced surgery courses were offered.
Skin surgery ranges from small biopsies to Mohs micrographic surgery and excisions necessitating complex skin flap design or grafting. Dermatology doctors in training need to acquire competence to perform skin surgery safely. As young dermatologists in the Eastern Cape we realized that as we thrive in our dermatology surgery journey an effective mentorship program needs to be prioritized.
Under Dr the leadership of Dr Avumile Mankahla (the Head of the division of Dermatology, WSU) and his team Dr Noluvuyo Qikani and Dr Fungi Gxolo, Dr Derek Odendaal was approach to come and mentor us, of which he did that selflessly. We are truly grateful to Dr Odendaal for reaching out and paying it forward to the next generation of budding dermatologic surgeons.
During the training
Nelson Mandela Academic hospital and Frere Hospital under Walter Sisulu University hosted a dermatologic surgery outreach training at Frere hospital, East London on the 30th November 2024.
Four dermatologists and four dermatology registrars attended the training, where a total number of ten patients were operated on, with the following skin diseases,
1. Neurofibromatosis
2. BCC on the face , SCC on the arm
3. SCC ear
4. SCC ear
5. SCC on the scalp
6. BCC on the arm
7. Lip SCC
8. Nose BCC
9. Poroma abdomen
10. Lipoma
The patients did very well and are being followed up at Frere and Nelson Mandela Academic hospital.
Future plans
We are hoping to continue to grow this mentor-mentorship program in the Eastern Cape to ensure that we provide our patient with quality and safe dermatological interventions. This is in line with the vision of the South African Society for Dermatologic Surgery.