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A multinational survey characterizing the use of surgical magnifying loupes in dermatological surgery
William T N Hunt1, Iqra Ashraf2, Toby G Nelson1
1Department of Dermatology, Rowan House, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK.
Background:
The use of surgical loupes has not been well-documented in dermatological surgery.
Objectives:
An online questionnaire was developed to characterize the use of loupes in dermatological surgery.
Methods:
The questionnaire was circulated to the memberships of the British Society of Dermatological Surgery, the European Society of Micrographic Surgery, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists. Responses were analyzed with a mixed methods approach using quantitative data analysis and inductive content analysis.
Results:
One-hundred twenty-five valid responses were received from 20 nations. Most respondents were from England (40%; 50/125), Australia (16%; 20/125), and the Netherlands (14.4%; 18/125). Overall, 71.2% (89/125) of respondents were consultants/Facharzt/attending. Furthermore, 55.2% (69/125) of respondents were Mohs surgeons. In dermatological surgery 38.4% (48/125) of respondents used surgical loupes routinely. The mode magnification level for loupes was 2.5× (67.5%; 27/40), with 3× second place (12.5%; 5/40). Exactly half (20/40) used through-the-lens style loupes and 40% (16/40) used flip-up-loupes. Inductive content analysis of the 51 free-text responses from nonloupe users uncovered several deterring factor themes, including expense (18/51), can manage without/don't need (14/51), and narrow field of view a(11/51), and uncomfortable/too heavy (9/51).
Conclusions:
This is the first time the use of surgical loupes in dermatological surgery has been internationally characterized.
