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Background and Objectives The literature supporting Mohs micrographic surgery and staged excision in treating primary cutaneous melanoma is growing but has not been critically reviewed for bias. Methods Articles concerning Mohs micrographic surgery and staged excision for melanoma were assessed using modified “Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions” (ROBINS-I) criteria, which measures bias in 7 categories. Results Forty-seven of 48 (97.9%) studies reviewed had serious or critical bias. None were randomized controlled trials. The most frequent cause of critical bias was poorly defined outcomes. The least frequent form of bias observed was change in intervention. Limitations The modified ROBINS-I criteria cannot account for all study limitations. Modification of the criteria leads to some degree of subjectivity. Conclusion The current body of literature suffers from limitations due to serious or critical bias in 1 or more ROBINS-I criteria. Local recurrence rate definitions are often poorly defined or not defined at all. Longer follow-up times, clear tumor classifications, and prospective, randomized study designs are necessary to improve the quality of future research.

Background Lentigo maligna/lentigo maligna melanoma (LM/LMM) can present with subclinical extension that may be difficult to define preoperatively and lead to incomplete excision and potential recurrence. Preliminarily studies have used reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) to assess LM/LMM margins. Objective To evaluate the correlation of LM/LMM subclinical extension defined by RCM compared to the gold standard histopathology. Methods Prospective study of LM/LMM patients referred for dermatologic surgery. RCM was performed at the clinically-defined initial surgical margin followed by margin-controlled staged excision with paraffin-embedded tissue and histopathology was correlated with RCM results. Results Seventy-two patients were included. Mean age was 66.8 years (SD 11.1; 38 – 89 years); 69.4% were males. 70/72 (97.2%) lesions were located on the head neck with mean largest clinical diameter of 1.3cm (0.3 – 5 cm). Diagnostic accuracy for detection of residual melanoma in the tumor debulk (after biopsy) had a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 66.7% when compared to the histopathology. RCM margin assessment revealed an overall agreement with final histopathology of 85.9% (kappa 0.71; p Limitations No RCM imaging beyond initial planned margins was performed. Conclusion RCM showed moderate to excellent overall agreement between RCM imaging of LM/LMM and histopathology of staged excision margins.

Background The success of Mohs micrographic surgery depends on the surgeon's ability to correctly interpret intraoperative frozen sections. Objective This retrospective study analyzed the rate of concordance between Mohs surgeons and dermatopathologists in reading slides from Mohs surgery cases. Methods A dermatopathologist reviewed all the frozen sections and the corresponding Mohs map for every 30 th Mohs case at a practice employing 6 different Mohs surgeons from 2001-2017. Cases in which the dermatopathologist and the Mohs surgeon disagreed on the interpretation were noted. Results The concordance rate between Mohs surgeons and dermatopathologists was 99.79%. The three discordant cases included one case each of squamous cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and hypertrophic squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Limitations This analysis is limited to fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons and therefore may not be applicable to all physicians who perform Mohs. Conclusions Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons show very high concordance with board-certified dermatopathologists in the accurate and precise interpretation of histology slides in the setting of Mohs micrographic surgery.

Aesthetically satisfying reconstruction of upper lip defects is a major challenge. The aim of this article is to present a case series for closure of superficial lip defects of > 50% of the lateral subunit, using a Burget nasolabial flap. We performed a retrospective case series study on eight patients with upper lip defects between 2013 and 2017, using a Burget nasolabial flap for closure of the wound. Patient demographics, early complication, and final results were described. The Burget nasolabial flap is a suitable option for reconstructing major superficial upper lateral lip defects with a defect/upper lateral lip ration of > 50%. This method respects the normal contours of the upper lip subunits, using skin comparable to the skin of the upper lip, with little risk of complications. Future research needs to investigate the effect on satisfaction of the patient with the results.

Background Verrucous carcinoma is a rare mucocutaneous malignancy characterized by slow, relentless growth and a low metastasis rate. Objective Herein we summarize surgical success rates and review newer approaches to the treatment of verrucous carcinomas.Methods & Materials: PubMed electronic searches were performed by B.F. and C.V. using combinations of the following terms: ''verrucous carcinoma,'' ''Ackerman tumor,'' ''Buschke Lowenstein,'' ''epithelioma cuniculatum,'' ''carcinoma cuniculatum,'' ''papillomatosis cutis,'' ''treatment,'' ''therapeutics,'' ''management,'' ''mohs surgery,'' and ''excision.'' A systematic review was conducted on 49 articles in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results Surgical management remains first-line therapy. Wide local excision is most commonly utilized, with highly variable margins (0.5-3.0 cm) and recurrence rates (4.6-75.0%). Mohs Micrographic Surgery has also been used, especially for recurrent tumors, with an overall recurrence rate of 12.9%. Conclusion Surgery is the treatment of choice, either by Mohs Micrographic Surgery or wide local excision. However, surgical recurrence rates are high, and tissue-sparing therapies are desirable given the sensitive locations involved. Ultimately, randomized control trials are needed to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of VCs.

Background Little data supports the optimal distance of cuticular suture placement from the wound edge to achieve the most cosmetically appealing scar. Objective To compare POSAS scores for cutaneous sutures spaced 2 versus 5 mm from the wound edge in head and neck defects repaired via linear closure. Methods Fifty patients were enrolled in this randomized, evaluator blinded, split-scar study. Surgical wounds were repaired with cuticular sutures 2 mm from the wound edge on one side and 5 mm on the other side. POSAS scores and scar width was compared three-months post-operatively. Results This study in sum observer POSAS score, with a mean (SD) of 16.06 (6.49) on the 2-mm side and 15.82 (6.83) on the 5-mm side (p=0.807). Similarly, no difference was seen in scar width, with a mean (SD) of 0.100 (0.058) cm on the 2-mm side and 0.100 (0.076) cm on the 5-mm side (p=0.967). Limitations Linear repairs were studied on head and neck defects after extirpation of cutaneous malignancies, resulting in a homogeneous elderly white patient population. Conclusion Cuticular sutures placed 2 or 5 mm from the wound edge did not result in different cosmetic outcomes in linear closures on the head and neck.

Background There is a need to improve prognostic accuracy for patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM). A 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test uses the molecular biology of primary tumors to identify individual patient metastatic risk. Objective Develop a nomogram incorporating 31-GEP with relevant clinical factors to improve prognostic accuracy. Methods In an IRB-approved study, 1,124 patients from nine Mohs micrographic surgery centers were prospectively enrolled, treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, and had 31-GEP testing. Data from 684 of those patients with at least one-year follow-up or a metastatic event were included in nomogram development to predict metastatic risk. Results Logistic regression modeling of 31-GEP results and T stage provided the simplest nomogram with the lowest Bayesian information criteria score. Validation in an archival cohort (n=901) demonstrated a significant linear correlation between observed and nomogram-predicted risk of metastasis. The resulting nomogram more accurately predicts the risk for CM metastasis than T stage or 31-GEP alone. Limitations The patient population is representative of Mohs micrographic surgery centers. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was not performed for most patients and could not be used in the nomogram. Conclusions 31-GEP and T stage can be integrated to gain clinically useful prognostic information from data obtained non-invasively.

BACKGROUND: Nasal scarring can compromise aesthetics and function given its complex three-dimensional structure and central location. This study aimed to measure patients' satisfaction after reconstruction for nasal defects following Mohs micrographic surgery.METHODS: Patients presenting with nasal nonmelanoma skin cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, USA and Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Netherlands from April 2017 to November 2019 were asked to participate. Reconstruction type, complications, and patients satisfaction were assessed. Patients completed the FACE-Q Skin Cancer - Satisfaction with Facial Appearance scale (preoperative and 1-year postoperative) and the Appraisal of Scars scale (1-year postoperative).RESULTS: A total of 128 patients completed the preand postoperative scales. There were 35 (27%) surgical defects repaired with primary closures, 71 (55.5%) with flaps, and 22 (17.2%) with full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG). Patients that underwent a flap or FTSG reconstruction had higher scar satisfaction scores than primary closures (p = 0.03). A trend was seen with patients following flap reconstructions scoring 7.8 points higher than primary closures and patients with upper nose defects scoring 6.4 points higher than lower nose defects. Males were significantly more satisfied than females. No significant difference was observed in the preoperative and postoperative facial appearance scores between the three groups (p = 0.39).CONCLUSION: Patients are more satisfied in the long term with their scars after flap reconstructions compared to primary closures. Therefore, nasal skin reconstruction may not follow the traditional reconstructive ladder and more complex approaches may lead to higher long-term scar satisfaction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Extramammary Paget's Disease (EMPD) is an uncommon intra-epithelial malignancy, affecting primarily apocrine gland-bearing skin. EMPD is often considered an orphan diagnosis given its rarity. This review provides a contemporary overview of EMPD management. RECENT FINDINGS The mainstay of EMPD treatment centers around a high index of suspicion to allow for an early and accurate diagnosis, wide local or Mohs micrographic surgical excision with care paid toward the margin status, and thoughtful consideration for lymphadenectomy in patients with clinically positive regional disease. There is currently no consensus regarding adjuvant therapies or systemic therapies although with ongoing improvements in tumor biology and genomics, including molecular pathways and alterations specific to EMPD, targeted or combinatorial therapies may be on the horizon. SUMMARY Clinicians caring for patients with EMPD should seek consultation from or if feasible, consider referral to high-volume, experienced centers with patients counseled and provided with frequent and close follow-up for disease recurrence or progression. Collaboration with groups such as the Global Society for Rare Genitourinary Tumors, and especially patient groups will be vital to designing trials and collaborative databases.

Importance: Reconstructing cosmetically sensitive defects in an aging population undergoing multiple Mohs micrographic surgeries (MMS) may be addressed with alternatives to surgery. Objective: Patients undergoing MMS with defect reconstruction in visually prominent areas receiving placental allograft were compared with traditional autologous tissue-based procedures—flaps and full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG). Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective case–control study evaluated patients who underwent MMS for removal of a basal or squamous cell carcinoma with same-day repair. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary endpoint was the incidence and comparison of postoperative morbidity. Risk for developing medical or cosmetic sequelae was determined through multivariate logistic regression. Results: The study population consisted of 143 propensity score-matched pairs (n = 286) with moderate- to high-risk defects on the face, head, and neck. Compared with autologous tissue, placental allograft cases were associated with significantly lower risk for infection (p = 0.004), poor scar cosmesis (p

Objective Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers in the world, with the number of new occurrences rising every year. Most patients with facial skin cancer experience cancer-related worry. Yet, little is known about their worry during the period after cancer treatment. This study aimed to assess the long-term change of cancer worry after surgical treatment in patients with NMSC. Methods Patients undergoing surgery for facial NMSC between December 2017 and March 2020 were asked to complete the FACE-Q Skin Cancer-Cancer Worry scale before (baseline), 3-month, and 1-year post-surgery. Results A total of 151 patients completed the baseline and 3-month, and 99 (65.6%) the 1-year post-operative survey. A significant decrease in cancer worry score was seen between baseline and 3-month post-surgery (p < 0.001). No difference was found between the 3-month and 1-year post-surgery scores (p = 0.78). Less improvement in cancer worry was seen for patients who had one facial skin cancer in their medical history (p = 0.001) and patients who had a history of facial surgery (p < 0.001). Conclusion Post-surgery patients still experience cancer worry. Therefore, targeted counseling might be of value when coping with cancer-related concerns. Patients with a history of facial NMSC and patients with a history of facial surgery might benefit from additional counseling.

There is limited literature regarding potential disparities in nonmelanoma skin cancer for patients with skin of color.Use the sizes of Mohs micrographic surgery defects to examine disparities in nonmelanoma skin cancer among Hispanic/Latino patients with a secondary aim to examine the effect of insurance type.We conducted a multicenter retrospective study using data from 3 major institutions in Los Angeles County. A total of 3486 Mohs micrographic surgeries of basal cell, squamous cell, and basosquamous cell carcinomas were analyzed.Mohs micrographic surgery defect sizes were 17% larger among Hispanic/Latino patients compared with non-Hispanic White patients. More notably, when comparing defect sizes of squamous cell carcinomas to those of basal cell carcinomas, defects were 80% larger among Hispanic/Latino patients compared to non-Hispanic White patients who had 25% larger defect sizes. Compared to patients with Medicare, patients with health maintenance organization and Medicaid/health maintenance organization had 22% and 52% larger defect sizes, respectively, whereas patients with preferred provider organization, had 10% smaller defect sizes.The data included were from a single county population.Disparities regarding nonmelanoma skin cancer exist between patients with skin of color and White patients. Patients and the medical community need to be cognizant that skin cancer can develop in patients regardless of their race and ethnicity.

Background Evidence is controversial and limited concerning whether surgical delays are associated with tumor growth for cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas. Objective Identify tumor subpopulations that may demonstrate an association between tumor growth and surgical delay. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 299 SCCs and 802 basal cell carcinomas treated with Mohs surgery at a single institution. Time interval from biopsy to surgery represented surgical delay. Change in major diameter (ΔMD) from size at biopsy to postoperative defect represented tumor growth. Independent predictors of ΔMD were identified by multivariate analysis. Linear regression was then utilized to assess for whether the ΔMD from these independent predictors trended with surgical delay. Results Surgical delays ranged from 0 to 331 days. Among SCCs, histologic subtype and prior treatment were identified as independent predictors of ΔMD. Significant associations between ΔMD and surgical delay were found for poorly- and moderately-differentiated SCCs, demonstrating growth rates of 0.28 cm and 0.24 cm per month of delay, respectively. The ΔMD for SCCs with prior treatment and basal cell carcinoma subgroups did not vary with surgical delay. Limitations Retrospective design, single center. Conclusion Surgical delays of less than a year were associated with tumor growth for higher-grade SCCs, with effect sizes bearing potential for clinical significance.

Resume Objectif Peu d’etudes robustes precisent les indications des techniques de Mohs dans les tumeurs cutanees. L’objectif de ce travail etait d’effectuer une revue de presque 10 ans d’experience, avec une evaluation de l’impact de la diminution des marges sur la reconstruction, permettant de proposer un algorithme de prise en charge a la lumiere de la litterature. Patient et methode Tous les dossiers des patients ayant beneficie d’une technique de Mohs dans notre institution etaient retrospectivement colliges depuis janvier 2011 jusque janvier 2020. La variante de chirurgie micrographique utilisee dans notre centre est la technique Slow-Mohs dite « en gâteau ». Une evaluation de l’impact de la reduction des marges etait faite a la fois sur la surface d’exerese mais aussi sur l’amelioration de la reconstruction. Resultats 548 cas ont ete inclus. Le taux d’exerese complete en 1 temps etait de 71 %. La surface d’exerese d’une tumeur localisee dans les zones peri orbitaires et nasales etait significativement plus souvent diminuee comparees aux autres zones (p = 0,020). L’amelioration de la reconstruction etait jugee significative dans les zones peri orbitaires, nasales, et en regard du tronc et des membres notamment dans le cadre de la prise en charge des dermatofibrosarcomes. Conclusion Cette evaluation souligne l’interet d’evaluer la pertinence clinique d’une reduction des marges en fonction de la localisation tumorale. Notre retour d’experience monocentrique sur presque 10 ans portant sur un grand effectif a permis de guider les indications de techniques de Mohs en lien avec la litterature.

Background Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has risen in popularity as a management option for treating lentigo maligna (LM) because of its ability to accurately detect subclinical spread while conserving tissue. The primary concern for opponents of MMS in melanoma remains the difficulty associated with interpretation of frozen sections compared with traditional paraffin sections; this has been made easier with the advent of immunostaining. Objective Our study aims to assess the concordance in clearance reporting of LM in immunostained frozen sections compared with permanent paraffin sections and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 38 LM cases treated by MMS between 2017 and 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Immunostained frozen sections were assessed by a Mohs surgeon, whereas permanent paraffin sections were assessed by an external dermatopathologist. Results We report 86% agreement in reporting of LM in immunostained frozen sections compared with permanent paraffin sections. In 5/38 cases, permanent paraffin sections were reported as clear for LM, but the Mohs surgeon had detected positive margins, requiring further excision. Conclusion For LM treated with MMS, there is a high agreement of clearance reporting between immunostained stained frozen sections and permanent paraffin sections without immunostaining; however, immunostained frozen sections may be more sensitive.

BACKGROUND The infraorbital cheek is a common location for cutaneous malignancy and thus surgical defects. Reconstruction in this region must maintain nearby free margins to ensure optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes. Large defects may require a flap using lateral or inferior tissue reservoirs. OBJECTIVE To examine outcomes of inferiorly based rotation flaps in the repair of infraorbital cheek defects and highlight pearls for optimal long-term results. METHODS Chart review of patients with a defect of the infraorbital cheek repaired with an inferiorly based rotation flap between February 2010 and December 2018 at a single academic institution. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for scar assessment. RESULTS Sixty-five patients underwent extirpation of a cutaneous malignancy resulting in defects ranging from 1.0 × 1.0 to 4.5 × 5.5 cm (mean area = 4.8 cm2). Most of the patients did not experience complications. Ectropion occurred in 7 patients. The mean VAS score was 11.6. CONCLUSION An inferiorly based rotation flap yields acceptable outcomes for infraorbital cheek defects and can be considered for defects as large as 5.5 cm. Using pearls for surgical execution presented in this article may allow reconstructive surgeons to include this flap in their repertoire.

There is limited data on non-adherence for surgical treatment in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) patients. The objective of this single-center, retrospective cohort study is to compare rates of non-adherence of surgical treatment options, determine factors associated with non-adherence, and identify barriers for non-adherence. All adult patients with NMSC (> 18 years) seen between 2015 and 2017 recommended surgical treatment (surgical excision and electrodessication and curettage (ED&C) or Mohs surgery) were eligible. Non-adherence was defined as not completing recommended treatment and reasons for non-adherence were collected. Out of 427 patients that met inclusion criteria, patients recommended surgical excision and ED&C had a lower non-adherence rate of 3.4% compared to those recommended Mohs (11.4%) (p = 0.006). Factors associated with non-adherence included self-pay patients (19.07% adherent vs. 43.24% non-adherent, p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that Mohs patients were more likely to be non-adherent (odds ratio (OR) = 3.839, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.435-10.270), p = 0.007) compared to surgical excision and ED&C patients. Males were more likely to be non-adherent (OR = 2.474, 95% CI (1.105-5.542), p = 0.028) to females, and self-pay patients were more likely to be non-adherent than those with other payers (OR = 3.050, 95% CI (1.437-6.475), p = 0.004). Of the 37 patients who were non-adherent, the most common reasons were loss to follow-up (46%), social reasons (41%), medical reasons (38%), and financial reasons (22%). There was a significant difference in non-adherence rates between surgical treatments for NMSCs in our cohort. Our study suggests the need for future interventional studies that implement strategies and patient education to decrease non-adherence rates.

Summay Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma of the ear (SCC-E) shows high rates of local recurrence (LR) and lymph node metastases (NM). SCC-E is the leading cause of death from nonmelanoma skin cancer. Objective To determine the LR and NM rates and survival after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Patients and methods We treated 170 invasive SCC-E with MMS with a mean follow up of 48 months. Mean age was 76 years, 93.2% were male patients, mean size: 1.5 cm, and 61.8% of the tumours were well differentiated. Results We observed 5 LRs, 2 locoregional recurrences, and 16 NMs in 23 patients. LR and NM rates were 4.1% and 10.6%, respectively. Only 3/25 recurrences occurred after 2 years of follow up. We observed 1(0.6%) distant metastasis (DM) in a patient who also presented LR + NM. Six out of seven cases with LR and 8/18 with NM died of disease, regardless of aggressive surgical rescue with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival were 81%, 82.6%, and 89.7%, respectively. Conclusions Undeniably, the outcome in SCC-E is determined by locoregional control. DM are sporadic and rarely the cause of death. Systematic reviews and retrospective studies show a solid trend in favor of MMS vs surgical excision. The LR rate of this series (4.1%) is one of the lowest published to date with regard to SCC-E, and confirms this assertion. We observed 10.6% NMs according to other series that treated the whole spectrum of SCC-E. Almost 2/3 of patients with NMs die after therapeutic rescue. We believe that it is essential to identify prognostic factors to select patients for one of the following: close surveillance (ultrasonography) during the first 2 years after surgery, sentinel node biopsy, or elective treatment of the nodes (surgery or radiotherapy).

Background: Quality indicators are used to benchmark and subsequently improve quality of healthcare. However, defining good quality indicators and applying them to high-volume care such as skin cancer is not always feasible. Objectives: To determine whether claims data could be used to benchmark high-volume skin cancer care and to assess clinical practice variation. Methods: All skin cancer care-related claims in dermatology in 2016 were extracted from a nationwide claims database (Vektis) in the Netherlands. Results: For over 220,000 patients, a skin cancer diagnosis-related group was reimbursed in 124 healthcare centres. Conventional excision reflected 75% of treatments for skin cancer but showed large variation between practices. Large practice variation was also found for 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod creams. The practice variation of Mohs micrographic surgery and photodynamic therapy was low under the 75th percentile, but outliers at the 100th percentile were detected, which indicates that few centres performed these therapies far more often than average. On average, patients received 1.8 follow-up visits in 2016. Conclusions: Claims data demonstrated large practice variation in treatments and follow-up visits of skin cancer and may be a valid and feasible data set to extract quality indicators. The next step is to investigate whether detected practice variation is unwarranted and if a reduction improves quality and efficiency of care.

Background Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) enables bedside histology and offers the surgeon a direct intraoperative tissue examination. Objectives To determine whether this innovative, ultra-fast diagnostic tool can be expanded beyond nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma, to other indications including melanocytic lesions and autoimmune diseases. Materials and methods Review of literature and summary of the current knowledge and experience of the use of ex vivo CLSM in melanocytic lesions and in autoimmune diseases. Results Up to date experience of the use of ex vivo CLSM in melanocytic lesions and in autoimmune diseases is limited but promising. Current knowledge on melanocytic lesions in ex vivo CLSM and their examples together with classic ex vivo CLSM features are presented. Previous results on the use of ex vivo CLSM in autoimmune dermatoses are presented, and future application possibilities of ex vivo CLSM are discussed. Conclusions The method is particularly suitable for the rapid examination of basal cell carcinomas during Mohs surgery but could also be used in the future for the intraoperative examination of melanocytic and autoimmune skin lesions.

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Lower extremity surgical sites are at an increased risk for developing SSI. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate lower extremity SSI rates post-MMS based on closure type and antibiotic usage. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was performed of all lower extremity MMS cases from 2011 to 2016 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Patient history, surgical details, and follow-up appointments were reviewed. RESULTS Six hundred twenty MMS lower extremity surgeries were eligible. Review identified an overall lower extremity SSI rate of 7.4%. Infection rates were significantly increased in wound closed by flaps/grafts (p < .001). Although wound size and preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis were initially associated with increased infection rate (p = .03, p = .015), the associations were fully attenuated when adjusting for closure type. CONCLUSION More complicated repair techniques (flap/graft) for larger wound sizes contribute to increased SSI risk among lower extremity MMS cases. Providers can use this information to guide antibiotic prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for cutaneous melanoma is becoming more prevalent, but surgical technique varies. OBJECTIVE To define variations in published techniques for MMS for melanoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS A systematic review was performed of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases to identify all articles describing surgical techniques for MMS for melanoma. Technical details were recorded for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of MMS. RESULTS Twenty-four articles were included. Mohs surgeons vary in how they assess clinical margins, how wide a margin they excise on the first MMS layer, and how they process tissue to determine tumor stage and margin clearance during MMS for melanoma. CONCLUSION Mohs micrographic surgery for melanoma is performed with varied surgical techniques. To establish best practices, additional research is necessary to determine how different techniques affect outcomes.

INTRODUCTION The kite flap is widely used in the repair of facial skin defects because of its high survival rate and simple operation. However, the flap mobility of traditional kite flap is limited and needs to be improved. We conducted this survey to evaluate clinical efficacy of modified kite flap in repairing facial skin defects after tumor resection. METHODS Clinical data of 25 patients with facial skin tumors were collected and analyzed. All patients received skin defect repair with modified kite flaps after Mohs surgery. The survival conditions of the flaps were observed 24 hours after the surgery. The patients were followed up at the first month and the third month after surgery and then every 3 months thereafter. The shape and texture of the flaps, as well as the matching degree with surrounding tissues, were evaluated. RESULTS All the flaps were survived without infection and healed by the first intervention. The shape and color of the flaps were all good without obvious scar. Satisfactory functional and cosmetic results were achieved in both donor sites and recipient sites. CONCLUSIONS The modified kite flap is effective for the repair of facial skin defects, which has a high survival rate and larger mobility.

Background Initial biopsies of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) may not reveal aggressive histologic features, which would otherwise inform appropriate surgical management and patient education. Objective To assess the incidence of, and risk factors for, histopathologic upgrading of cSCC during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of invasive cSCCs treated with MMS between 2017 and 2019 at 1 academic institution. An “upgrade” was defined as a lesser degree of differentiation (poor or moderate) and/or bony or perineural invasion identified during MMS that was not reported in histopathologic evaluation of the initial biopsy. Results Of the 1558 tumors studied, 115 (7.4%) were upgraded during MMS. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex, prior field treatment, location on the ear/lip, rapid growth of cSCC, and tumor diameter ≥2 cm were significant predictors of tumor upgrading. Upgraded tumors were more likely to require ≥3 MMS stages to clear, complicated closure (flap or graft), or outside (referral) repairs. Limitations Single-center study, retrospective, and inter-rater variability. Conclusions A significant proportion of cSCCs is histopathologically upgraded with more aggressive features during MMS. Routinely documented patient and tumor characteristics can predict tumor upgrading and assist clinicians in directing the management of potentially high-risk cSCC patients.

BACKGROUND Educational videos improve patient knowledge of wound care and skin cancer. However, the effect of viewing an educational video at home before undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has not been demonstrated. AIM To evaluate the use of an educational video to improve patient understanding of MMS. METHODS Patients scheduled to undergo MMS were randomized to receive standard patient education, or standard patient education with an additional video developed by the authors. The educational material was posted to patients along with the details of their MMS appointment. Both groups answered questionnaires to assess their knowledge of MMS, and to measure their anxiety and satisfaction. RESULTS Patients who watched the educational video scored higher on the knowledge questionnaire than did patients in the control group (0.8, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.4, P

BACKGROUND Early and accurate diagnosis of subungual melanoma (SUM) through histopathologic examination is critical, but lack of clinical suspicion leads to delays in diagnosis. Hutchinson sign (HS) can be one of the important clinical indicators for diagnosing SUM. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic value of small biopsies of HS for detecting SUM in situ. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 12 patients who were diagnosed as SUM in situ and underwent punch biopsy at HS areas. Clinical features, dermoscopic findings, and histopathologic findings in HS regions were analyzed. RESULTS In most cases, HS was seen in hyponychium (11/12, 91.7%) with 1 case found in proximal nail fold, and 1 case in both the hyponychium and proximal nail fold. Dermoscopic features of HS showed irregular diffuse pigmentation (12/12, 100%) and parallel ridge pattern (7/12, 58.3%). Histopathologically, all cases showed irregularly scattered atypical melanocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei. Two cases showed subtle changes in melanocytes with little nuclear atypia, but additional section specimen showed more definitive findings of SUM in situ. CONCLUSION We present a supplementary biopsy technique for diagnosing SUM. Biopsy of HS may help in the diagnosis of SUM.

Background Current staging systems for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) incorporate histologic grade. There are no universally agreed on criteria to define differentiation for cSCC. Objective To determine the interrater and intrarater reliability among dermatopathologists and Mohs surgeons in grading histological differentiation for cSCC. Methods and materials One hundred thirty-one archived slides were selected. Three dermatopathologists and 3 Mohs surgeons graded the tumors in a blinded manner (Round 1). In an attempt to improve concordance, all 6 participants were then asked to regrade the tumors based on a devised quantitative grading scale (Round 2). Results For Round 1, overall κ was 0.56 corresponding to a weak agreement. κ for well, moderate, and poorly differentiated tumors was 0.68, 0.39, and 0.59, respectively, corresponding to moderate, minimal, and weak concordance. For Round 2 of the study, overall κ was 0.60, with κ = 0.75, 0.46, and 0.61 for well, moderate, and poorly differentiated tumors, respectively. Overall intrarater reliability was 0.70 (κ = 0.70, 0.77, 0.68, 0.71, 0.56, and 0.75), corresponding to a moderate concordance. Conclusion Overall concordance for cSCC histologic grading is weak to moderate among the experimental group. Substantial differences in concordance exist among histological degrees of differentiation, with lowest agreement in moderately differentiated tumors.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) have upstage rates of approximately 10.3% to 11.1%. Data are currently limited on the rate of upstaging for metastatic cSCC.The aim of this study was to determine the rates of upstaging, between diagnosis and surgery, and differences in management for metastatic and non-metastatic high-risk cSCC.This was a retrospective, case-control, single institution, multi-center study. Univariate analysis was used.Sixty-eight subjects (34 metastatic34 non-metastatic) with 69 tumors were included. The overall rate of upstaging was 46.4%. The most common reasons for upstage were undocumented tumor size and under-diagnosis of poor differentiation. There were no differences in rates of upstaging. Preoperative imaging was performed in 43.6% of wide local excisions (WLE) versus 3.3% of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS; p.001). The median days from surgery to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), or nodal dissection was shorter for WLE versus MMS (0 vs 221 days, p.001).Improved clinical documentation, including documenting tumor size, and the identification of pathologic risk factors, including poor differentiation and depth of invasion, are needed for proper staging. Preoperative imaging and discussion of SLNB may be beneficial for high-risk T2b and T3 tumors.

Background: Large prospective studies on the safety of Mohs micrographic (MMS) surgery are scarce, and most focus on a single type of surgical adverse event. Mid-term scar alterations and functional loss have not been described. Objectives: To describe the risk of MMS complications and the risk factors for them. Methods: A nationwide prospective cohort collected all adverse events on consecutive patients in 22 specialised centres. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression to find out factors associated with adverse events. Results: 5,017 patients were included, with 14,421 patient-years of follow-up. 7.0% had some perioperative morbidity and 6.5% had mid-term and scar-related complications. The overall risk of complications was mainly associated with use of antiaggregant/anticoagulant and larger tumours, affecting deeper structures, not reaching a tumour-free border, and requiring complex repair. Age and outpatient setting were not linked to the incidence of adverse events. Risk factors for haemorrhage (0.9%) were therapy with antiaggregant/anticoagulants, tumour size, duration of surgery, and unfinished surgery. Wound necrosis (1.9%) and dehiscence (1.0%) were associated with larger defects and complex closures. Immunosuppression was only associated with an increased risk of necrosis. Surgeries reaching deeper structures, larger tumours and previous surgical treatments were associated with wound infection (0.9%). Aesthetic scar alterations (5.4%) were more common in younger patients, with larger tumours, in H-area, and in flap and complex closures. Risk factors for functional scar alterations (1.7%) were the need for general anaesthesia, larger tumours that had received previous surgery, and flaps or complex closures. Conclusions: MMS shows a low risk of complications. Most of the risk factors for complications were related to tumour size and depth, and the resulting need for complex surgery. Antiaggregant/anticoagulant intake was associated with a small increase in the risk of haemorrhage, that probably does not justify withdrawal. Age and outpatient setting were not linked to the risk of adverse events.

BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard treatment for high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers. The success of Mohs relies on accurate histopathologic evaluation. Due to law restrictions in some European countries, Mohs surgeons are not permitted to report on histopathology; therefore, a pathologist evaluates the frozen sections. OBJECTIVE To retrospectively assess the concordance between the certified Mohs surgeon and the pathologist in evaluating the Mohs slides that were intraoperatively evaluated by the pathologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS Frozen section slides of a total of 237 Mohs cases between 2013 and 2020 were examined by the blinded Mohs surgeon, and the tumours were marked on copy maps. The copy maps and the original maps were compared, and the non-concordant cases were re-evaluated together by the Mohs surgeon and the dermatopathologist. The concordance rate was calculated, and the inter-rater agreement was statistically analysed using Cohen's Kappa coefficient. RESULTS We report a high concordance rate (97.9%) and inter-rater agreement (0.96) between Mohs surgeon and dermatopathologist in evaluating Mohs slides. CONCLUSION As a newly settled centre, our results are in alignment with experienced centres where the Mohs surgeon evaluates the slides herself and performs the surgery.

Specialty site melanomas on the head and neck, hands and feet, genitalia, and pretibial leg have higher rates of surgical complications after conventional excision with postoperative margin assessment (CE-POMA) compared with trunk and proximal extremity melanomas. The rule of 10s describes complication rates after CE-POMA of specialty site melanomas: ∼10% risk for upstaging, ∼10% risk for positive excision margins, ∼10% risk for local recurrence, and ∼10-fold increased likelihood of reconstruction with a flap or graft. Trunk and proximal extremity melanomas encounter these complications at a lower rate, according to the rule of 2s. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) with frozen section melanocytic immunostains (MMS-I) and slow Mohs with paraffin sections decrease complications of surgery of specialty site melanomas by detecting upstaging and confirming complete tumor removal with comprehensive microscopic margin assessment before reconstruction. This article reviews information important for counseling melanoma patients about surgical treatment options and for developing consensus guidelines with clear indications for MMS-I or slow Mohs.

On the basis of high-local recurrence risk features and tissue-rearranging reconstruction, consensus guidelines recommend microscopic margin control for keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) but not for cutaneous melanoma.To compare high-local recurrence risk features and frequency of tissue-rearranging reconstruction for head and neck KC with those for melanoma.Retrospective cohort study of KC versus melanoma treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with Mohs micrographic surgery.A total of 12,189 KCs (8743 basal cell carcinomas and 3343 squamous cell carcinomas) and 1475 melanomas (1065 melanomas in situ and 410 invasive melanomas) were identified from a prospectively updated Mohs micrographic surgery database. Compared with KCs, melanomas were significantly more likely to have high-local recurrence risk features, including larger preoperative size (2.10 cm vs 1.30 cm [P .0001]), recurrent status (5.08% vs 3.91% [P = .031]), and subclinical spread (31.73% vs 26.52% [P .0001]). Tissue-rearranging reconstruction was significantly more common for melanoma than for KCs (44.68% vs 33.02% [P .0001]; odds ratio, 1.98 [P .0001]).This was a retrospective study, and it did not compare outcomes with those of other treatment methods, such as slow Mohs or conventional excision.Melanomas of the head and neck have high-local recurrence risk features and require tissue-rearranging reconstruction more frequently than KCs do.

Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has not been studied for invasive melanomas treated with Mohs micrographic surgery using frozen-section MART-1 immunohistochemical stains (MMS-IHC). The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for SLNB in a cohort of patients who had invasive melanoma treated with MMS-IHC. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all patients who had primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas treated with MMS-IHC at a single academic center between March 2006 and April 2018. The primary outcomes were the rates of documenting discussion and performing SLNB in patients who were eligible based on NCCN guidelines. Secondary outcomes were the rate of identifying the sentinel lymph node and the percentage of positive lymph nodes. Results In total, 667 primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas (American Joint Committee on Cancer T1a-T4b) were treated with MMS-IHC. The median patient age was 69 years (range, 25-101 years). Ninety-two percent of tumors were located on specialty sites (head and/or neck, hands and/or feet, pretibial leg). Discussion of SLNB was documented for 162 of 176 (92%) SLNB-eligible patients, including 127 of 127 (100%) who had melanomas with a Breslow depth >1 mm. SLNB was performed in 109 of 176 (62%) SLNB-eligible patients, including 102 of 158 melanomas (65%) that met NCCN criteria to discuss and offer SLNB and 7 of 18 melanomas (39%) that met criteria to discuss and consider SLNB. The sentinel lymph node was successfully identified in 98 of 109 patients (90%) and was positive in 6 of those 98 patients (6%). Conclusions Combining SLNB and MMS-IHC allows full pathologic staging and confirmation of clear microscopic margins before reconstruction of specialty site invasive melanomas. SLNB can be performed accurately and in compliance with consensus guidelines in patients with melanoma using MMS-IHC.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized form of skin cancer surgery that has the highest cure rates for several cutaneous malignancies. Certain skin cancers can have small extensions or “roots” that may be missed if an excised tumor is serially cross-sectioned in a “bread-loaf” fashion, commonly performed on excision specimens. The method of Mohs micrographic surgery is unique in that the dermatologist (Mohs surgeon) acts as both surgeon and pathologist, from the preoperative considerations until the reconstruction. Since Dr. Mohs’s initial work in the 1930s, the practice of Mohs micrographic surgery has become increasingly widespread among the dermatologic surgery community worldwide and is considered the treatment of choice for many common and uncommon cutaneous neoplasms. Mohs micrographic surgery spares the maximal amount of normal tissue and is a safe procedure with very few complications, most of them managed by Mohs surgeons in their offices. Mohs micrographic surgery is the standard of care for high risks basal cell carcinomas and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and is commonly and increasingly used for melanoma and other rare tumors with superior cure rates. This review better familiarizes the dermatologists with the technique, explains the difference between Mohs micrographic surgery and wide local excision, and discusses its main indications.

Melanoma accounts for approximately 1% of all skin cancers but contributes to almost all skin cancer deaths. The developing picture suggests that melanoma phenotypes are driven by epigenetic mechanisms that reflect a complex interplay between genotype and environment. Furthermore, the growing consensus is that current classification standards, notwithstanding pertinent clinical history and appropriate biopsy, fall short of capturing the vast complexity of the disease. This article summarizes the current understanding of the clinical picture of melanoma, with a focus on the tremendous breakthroughs in molecular classification and therapeutics.

Background Few data exist to guide the application of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the pediatric population. Objective We sought to summarize the clinical characteristics of children undergoing MMS, identify challenges that limit the use of MMS in this population, and examine how these challenges can be overcome. Methods A systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE, from inception of databases to November 2, 2019, identified all cases of pediatric skin lesions treated with MMS. Results A total of 111 patients were included. The median patient age was 11 years (range 6 weeks to 17 years). The most commonly treated tumor was dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (n = 62), followed by basal cell carcinoma (n = 30). The most common location was the head and neck (n = 34), followed by the trunk (n = 28) and the extremities (n = 23). The most commonly cited challenges in the application of MMS in children included patient cooperation, concerns for the safety of prolonged general anesthesia, availability of a MMS service in the pediatric setting, and access to a histopathology laboratory experienced in MMS sectioning. Limitations Many articles did not report specific patient characteristics. Conclusion Multiple obstacles limit the application of MMS in pediatric patients. This review describes practical methods to circumvent these obstacles to facilitate the appropriate use of MMS in children.

BACKGROUND The role of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the management of melanoma of the head and neck (HNM) has been controversial. The authors systematically reviewed the local recurrence rate of melanoma in situ (MIS) and T1a melanomas using MMS compared with conventional wide local excision (WLE) and staged excision (SE). OBJECTIVE To systematically review the local recurrence rate of early-stage melanomas of the HNM treated with MMS versus WLE or SE. METHODS AND MATERIALS A search of English medical literature was conducted through the common databases until November 26, 2019. Using PRISMA guidelines for the treatment of MIS and T1a melanoma with MMS, WLE, or SE, our search yielded a total of 32 articles. RESULTS Mohs micrographic surgery has a lower local recurrence rate for early-stage melanomas over both SE and WLE {pooled recurrence risk 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-1.1) versus 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-3.4) versus 8.7% (95% CI 5.1-12.2) (p < .001), respectively}. CONCLUSION Mohs micrographic surgery may offer a lower recurrence rate than SE or WLE in the management of early-stage melanomas of the face or HNM. Further clinical validation in a randomized controlled trial is required.

Background Physician burnout is a response to chronic work stress characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. Resiliency is the ability to respond to chronic stress in a healthy and adaptive manner. No prior studies have specifically examined the prevalence of burnout and resilience in Mohs surgeons. Objective This study aimed to assess the current well-being of Mohs surgeons and specific resilient behaviors that can protect against burnout. Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey was sent to members of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery. The survey combined the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory and The Resilience Profile ©. Results Of the 1450 surgeons registered with the American College of Mohs Surgery listserv, 137 (9.4%) participated in the survey. Of those who participated, 46% of surgeons had at least 1 symptom of burnout based on a high emotional exhaustion and/or high depersonalization score. Female surgeons (56%) were found to have higher levels of burnout compared with male surgeons (40%). Individual resilient behaviors protective of burnout include the ability to pivot and exhibition of self-control. Conclusion Compared with all physicians and general dermatologists, Mohs surgeons have a lower rate of burnout. Similar to other surgical specialties, women report higher rates of burnout. Individual resilience factors that may be protective of burnout include ability to pivot and self-control.

Background Malignant cutaneous adnexal tumors (MCATs) are rare and their natural history is poorly understood. Available literature indicates aggressive behavior with a significant risk of metastasis. Study Design Retrospective review of our institutional surgical oncology databases was performed for patients diagnosed with MCATs (2001-2020). We hypothesized that most patients have a low risk of lymph node involvement, recurrence, and death. Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis was used to assess risk of recurrence and 5-year survival. Results We identified 41 patients diagnosed with MCATs (median age 59 years, 68% were men). Most patients had long-standing cutaneous lesions (median 24 months) and no palpable adenopathy. Most patients had stage I or II disease (98%). Primary tumors were treated with wide local excision (n = 28 [68%]), Mohs surgery (n = 5 [12%]), or amputation (n = 8 [19%]). Of 25 patients who underwent SLNB (61%), 1 had lymphatic metastasis. These include apocrine carcinoma (1 of 3), digital papillary adenocarcinoma (0 of 8), porocarcinoma (0 of 4), and additional MCAT sub-types (0 of 10). Three patients (7%) had disease recurrence at a median interval of 3.6 years (interquartile range 1.5 to 4.4 years). Five patients (12%) died at a median interval of 7 years (interquartile range 6.7 to 9.2 years), but only 1 patient was known to have succumbed to MCAT. Overall 5-year survival rate was 96% (95% CI, 75% to 99%). Conclusions Despite the historical impression that MCATs have a high metastatic potential, most patients have low recurrence rates and excellent 5-year survival rates. Lymphatic disease identified after SLNB in early-stage tumors is rare and the value of this staging procedure in MCAT remains unclear.

Background: Patients are reported to understand less than half of the information communicated to them by physicians. In an effort to better promote patient education, instructional videos have been implemented in surgical specialties, with demonstrable improvement in patient satisfaction and knowledge. In Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), Mohs surgeons have begun to implement educational videos to supplement the traditional informed consent discussion and wound care demonstration. Objective: To review published literature to determine if video education in MMS can improve patient satisfaction and comprehension of their procedure. Methods: A review of literature was performed using the PubMed database from 2000 to 2020. The articles selected focused on the implementation of educational videos in Mohs surgery for the improvement of the informed consent process, post-surgical wound care instructions, and overall patient satisfaction and comprehension. Results: A total of seven articles met the criteria for review. The videos were noted to improve certain aspects of the informed consent discussion, including patients knowledge on the procedural risks. In regard to wound care education, some patients preferred video education to surgeon instruction. While patient comprehension was similar between the intervention and control groups, most studies demonstrated overall patient satisfaction. In addition, the results noted that most patients who watched a video would recommend it to a peer undergoing MMS. Conclusion: Educational videos have demonstrated promise for patient education in MMS and patients are receptive to learn from them.

Purpose of review Provide an up to date review of the diagnosis, workup and treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). DFSP can be a challenging disease to manage and adequate understanding of the most up to date literature can help provide comprehensive treatment strategies. Recent findings DFSP is an infiltrative cutaneous sarcoma. It tends to have deep local invasion with a high risk of local recurrence, but a low risk of distant metastasis. It presents typically as a slow growing, asymptomatic skin lesion. It presents rarely in the head and neck, only 15% of the time. Recent data has discussed the role of wide local excision (WLE) vs. Mohs surgery. In addition, for unresectable disease the role of systemic therapy and immunomodulatory agents such as Imatinib has shown success. Summary Typically, surgical management is the first line for DFSP, however the risk for local recurrence still remains high with negative margins. Due to this risk, lifelong surveillance is required after initial diagnosis and management. Similar to other head and neck tumors, most recurrences happen within the first 3 years after treatment. DFSP can be treated with WLE or Mohs. For aggressive disease that is considered unresectable systemic therapy does exist, including molecular targeted therapies.