The punch biopsy blade consists of a hollow circular blade at the end of a pencil-like handle. It is an instrument often found in the armamentarium of your friendly neighbourhood dermatologist. It was first developed by Keyes1 in 1887, and has since been described as having diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic uses.2-4 The sharp, circular blade allows the clinician to take a small, predetermined piece of tissue (ranging from 0.5 to 10 mm5), which can subsequently be sent for histopathological analysis. The authors have discovered that the unique shape of the punch biopsy blade also makes it a useful tool for cutting a new notch in a leather belt.
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