The "Little Curette''

Curettage, electrosurgery and skin cancer

“… 6,7,21,30,35,36 Once the bulk of the lesion has been removed, the margins and base of the wound are vigorously probed and explored with progressively smaller curettes (1–2 mm) for pockets and finger‐like extensions of tumour. 6–8,15,18,20–23,26,37,38 This eliminates potential foci of recurrence 30 and contributes to a tapered surgical edge, enhancing cosmesis.…”

Surgical Gems: The “Little” Curet

“…Perhaps the most valuable application of the little curet is in the treatment of basal‐cell carcinoma . I think that the successful treatment of basal‐cell carcinoma with curettage and electrodesiccation is greatly dependent upon 1) avoidance of perforation of underlying, uninvolved connective tissue and 2) careful search for tumor tracts.…”

“…If electrosurgery is practiced before the thorough curettage, some underlying normal connective tissue will possibly be destroyed and again an impression of more neoplasia than there actually is may be created. Some of the tracts of a basal‐cell carcinoma may be so small that a large‐size curet may easily sever their connections to the main mass of malignancy and leave them behind . It is much more likely that the little curet will reach and ferret out such fine extensions of malignancy.…”