A multinational survey characterizing the use of surgical magnifying loupes in dermatological surgery

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.