Gillies Temporal Incision: An Alternative Approach to Biopsy of the Superficial Temporal Artery

In the letter to the editor, the authors discuss the Gillies temporal incision as an alternative approach for the biopsy of the superficial temporal artery, particularly in the context of diagnosing giant cell arteritis. They argue that the Gillies approach is advantageous because it allows for the incision to be placed in a less visible area, which is beneficial given the high percentage of patients who do not receive a diagnostic benefit from the biopsy and may experience hair loss patterns that would expose scars from other biopsy sites. The authors note that most patients with giant cell arteritis are women over 50 years old, and the pattern of hair loss can be assessed to place the incision accordingly. They also mention that the Gillies approach is a simple and safe technique that can be easily taught to trainees and offers the option to biopsy both the anterior and posterior branches of the artery. Additionally, they highlight that the Gillies incision avoids the danger zone of the facial nerve, which can result in serious complications if damaged during a biopsy. The authors conclude that given the choice, patients would likely prefer the Gillies temporal incision technique for its safety and cosmetic benefits. No conflicts of interest were reported, and patient permission was obtained for the discussed case.