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Background Thorough understanding of head and neck anatomy is useful and necessary for dermatologic surgery. Objective To highlight pertinent head and neck anatomic structures that are encountered during dermatologic surgery and correlate these with common surgical problems. Methods Important anatomic structures and regional cutaneous anatomy are discussed and illustrated. Results Several important anatomic structures exist within the head and neck that can influence surgical outcomes. Conclusion Anatomic knowledge is helpful to the dermatologic surgeon to optimize reconstructive outcomes.

Mohs surgery for a malignancy in the periungual and subungual location is advantageous because it is a tissue-sparing technique that preserves maximum function and normal appearance. Traditional surgical treatment for such tumors is wide local excision and closure; in some cases, amputation of the digit is considered. The amount of tissue removed with these standard surgical treatments may be quite debilitating for the patient. Often, Mohs surgery will preserve a significant amount of nail matrix so that an almost normal-appearing nail regrows.