Surprise met in minor ops.

The case of a woman who was initially diagnosed as having a sebaceous cyst but who died from metastatic lung carcinoma 2 weeks after her initial 'minor op' procedure. Minor surgical procedures are increasingly being performed by specialist nurses and by general practitioners in primary care. However, such non-experts may lack the resources to cope with surprises such as was found in this case. It is, therefore, imperative that adequate training and support is provided as the model of care changes.