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Introduction: There is still a need to develop a simple algorithm to identify patients likely to need complex Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and optimize MMS schedule. The main objectives of this study are to identify factors associated with a complex MMS and develop a predictor model of the number of stages needed in surgery and the need for a complex closure. Materials and Methods: A nationwide prospective cohort study (REGESMOHS, the Spanish Mohs surgery registry) was conducted including all patients with a histological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Factors related to three or more stages and a complex closure (that needing a flap and/or a graft) were explored and predictive models were constructed and validated to construct the REGESMOSH scale. Results: A total of 5226 patients that underwent MMS were included in the REGESMOHS registry, with 4402 (84%) having a histological diagnosis of BCC. A total of 3689 (88.9%) surgeries only needed one or two stages and 460 (11.1%) required three or more stages. A model to predict the need for three or more stages included tumour dimension, immunosuppression, recurrence, location in risk areas, histological aggressiveness and previous surgery. Regarding the closure type, 1616 (38.8%) surgeries were closed using a non‐complex closure technique and 2552 (61.2%) needed a complex closure. A model to predict the need for a complex closure included histological aggressiveness, evolution time, patient age, maximum tumour dimension and location. Conclusion: We present a model to predict MMS needing ≥3 stages and a complex closure based on epidemiological and clinical data validated in a large population (with real practice variability) including different centres that could be easily implemented in clinical practice. This model could be used to optimize surgery schedule and properly inform patients about the surgery duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of patients, surgery procedures and the risk factors for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) recurrences is poorly defined. In this study, we aimed to describe the demographics, tumor characteristics and interventions of DFSP treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MSS) to determine the rate and risk factors for recurrence. Data were collected from REGESMOHS, a nationwide prospective cohort study of patients treated with MMS in Spain. From July 2013 to February 2020, 163 patients with DFSP who underwent MMS were included. DFSP was mostly located on trunk and extremities. Recurrent tumors had deeper tumor invasion and required higher number of MMS stages. Paraffin MMS was the most frequently used technique. Overall recurrence rate was 0.97 cases/100 person‐years (95% IC = 0.36–2.57). No differences were found in epidemiological, tumor, surgery characteristics or surgical technique (frozen or paraffin MMS [p = 0.6641]) in terms of recurrence. Median follow‐up time was 28.6 months with 414 patient‐years of follow‐up. In conclusion, we found an overall low recurrence rate of DFSP treated with MMS. None of the studied risk factors, including MMS techniques, was associated with higher risk for recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The two main tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are no studies analyzing whether MMS is different when treating these two types of tumors. Objective: We aim to compare the characteristics of the patients, the tumors, and MMS, and first‐year follow‐up of MMS in BCC and SCC. Methods: REGESMOHS is a prospective cohort study of patients treated with MMS. The participating centers are 19 Spanish hospitals where at least one MMS is performed per week. Data on characteristics of the patients, tumors, and surgery were recorded. The follow‐up was done with two visits: the first visit within 1 month after surgery and the second one within the first year. Results: From July 2013 to April 2017, a total of 2,669 patients who underwent MMS were included in the registry. Of them, 2,448 (93%) were diagnosed with BCC, and 181 (7%) were diagnosed with SCC. Patients with SCC were older than those with BCC (median age 73 years vs. 68 years) and presented immunosuppression more frequently. The tumor size was significantly larger in the SCC group. Regarding surgery, deeper invasion was more frequent in SCC, resulting in larger defects. Despite this, SCC did not require more stages to get clear margins or more time in the operating room. Incomplete Mohs was more frequent in the SCC group (6%) than in the BCC group (2%). The incidence of perioperative complications was higher when treating SCC. There were more relapses in the first‐year follow‐up in the SCC group. Conclusion: There are significant differences when comparing MMS in BCC and SCC. Knowledge of these differences can help to prepare the patient and plan the surgery, optimizing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Immunosuppressed (IS) patients, particularly solid organ transplant recipients and those on immunosuppressive therapy, face a higher incidence and recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the preferred treatment for high‐risk NMSC due to its high cure rate and margin examination capabilities. However, IS patients may experience more complications, such as surgical site infections, and a greater risk of recurrence, making their outcomes a subject of interest.This study aimed to compare IS and immunocompetent (IC) patients undergoing MMS for NMSC in terms of baseline characteristics, intra‐ and post‐surgical complications, and postoperative recurrence rates.The study utilized data from the REGESMOHS registry, a 7‐year prospective cohort study in Spain. It included 5226 patients, categorizing them into IC (5069) and IS (157) groups. IS patients included solid organ transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive treatments, individuals with haematological tumours and HIV‐positive patients. Patient data, tumour characteristics, surgical details and outcomes were collected and analysed.IS patients demonstrated a higher proportion of SCC, multiple synchronous tumours and tumours invading deeper structures. Complex closures, unfinished MMS and more surgical sections were observed in the IS group. Although intra‐operative morbidity was higher among IS patients, this difference became non‐significant when adjusted for other variables such as year of surgery, antiplatelet/anticoagulant treatment or type of closure. Importantly, IS patients had a substantially higher recurrence rate (IRR 2.79) compared to IC patients.This study suggests that IS patients may be at a higher risk of development of AE such as bleeding or tumour necrosis and are at a higher risk of tumour recurrence. Close follow‐up and consideration of the specific characteristics of NMSC in IS patients are crucial. Further research with extended follow‐up is needed to better understand the long‐term outcomes for this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The two main tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are no studies analyzing whether MMS is different when treating these two types of tumors., Objective: We aim to compare the characteristics of the patients, the tumors, and MMS, and first-year follow-up of MMS in BCC and SCC., Methods: REGESMOHS is a prospective cohort study of patients treated with MMS. The participating centers are 19 Spanish hospitals where at least one MMS is performed per week. Data on characteristics of the patients, tumors, and surgery were recorded. The follow-up was done with two visits: the first visit within 1 month after surgery and the second one within the first year., Results: From July 2013 to April 2017, a total of 2,669 patients who underwent MMS were included in the registry. Of them, 2,448 (93%) were diagnosed with BCC, and 181 (7%) were diagnosed with SCC. Patients with SCC were older than those with BCC (median age 73 years vs. 68 years) and presented immunosuppression more frequently. The tumor size was significantly larger in the SCC group. Regarding surgery, deeper invasion was more frequent in SCC, resulting in larger defects. Despite this, SCC did not require more stages to get clear margins or more time in the operating room. Incomplete Mohs was more frequent in the SCC group (6%) than in the BCC group (2%). The incidence of perioperative complications was higher when treating SCC. There were more relapses in the first-year follow-up in the SCC group., Conclusion: There are significant differences when comparing MMS in BCC and SCC. Knowledge of these differences can help to prepare the patient and plan the surgery, optimizing results., (© 2018 The International Society of Dermatology.)