Quality of minor surgery carried out in primary or secondary care: population based randomised controlled equivalence trial

INTERVENTION: Interventions amended as of 02/12/2008: Elective minor surgeries in the categories described in the participants inclusion criteria field, delivered either in primary care, by the patient's own GP or by referral to a primary care colleague, or in hospital, by either surgeons or dermatologists at a variety of grades. Previous interventions: Quality of surgery performed in primary care vs surgery performed in hospital CONDITION: Lesions requiring minor surgery (predominantly skin) ; Surgery PRIMARY OUTCOME: Primary outcome measures amended as of 02/12/2008:; Quality of treatment measured using cosmetic results of surgery. ; ; Previous primary outcome measures:; Safety, quality and cost effectiveness. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Added as of 02/12/2008:; 1. Extent to which samples were sent for histology; 2. Completeness of excision of malignant lesions; 3. Patient satisfaction with aspects of care INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria amended as of 02/12/2008: All patients (both genders, no age limits) with one of a range of conditions amenable to minor surgery who were considered suitable for treatment by a participating GP or one of their partners. The study focuses on four categories of minor surgical treatment; excisions, incisions, aspirations and "other", including removal of foreign bodies. Previous INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients requiring minor surgery.