"Reasons cited by those who have aborted MMS include patient discomfort and/or concern regarding damage to deeper structures. A retrospective cohort was created consisting of patients who were referred for reconstructive procedures following MMS during a 4-year period. Patients who experienced aborted MMS were identified from this cohort, and a chart review performed. The overall occurrence of aborted MMS in the community was significantly less than 1% with a cumulative frequency in this particular reconstructive cohort of 1.7%. Approximately one-third of patients had persistent tumor on subsequent treatment, and approximately 14% required multiple excisional procedures to clear tumor. Risk factors for experiencing aborted MMS include histology of dermatofibroma sarcoma protuberans, significant pain during MMS, and location of tumor over a cranial nerve. Follow-up failed to reveal recurrence after further treatment. Preoperative identification of patients at risk for aborted MMS would allow for direct referral using surgical excision, hence decreasing anxiety, morbidity, and cost," wrote R.I.S. Zbar and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: "A treatment algorithm is proposed for patients who experience aborted MMS."
Zbar and colleagues published their study in Annals of Plastic Surgery (Identifying and Managing Those Patients at Risk for Aborted Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2012;68(1):67-71).
For additional information, contact R.I.S. Zbar, Mountainside Hosp, Div Plast Surg, Montclair, NJ, United States.
The publisher's contact information for the journal Annals of Plastic Surgery is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
Keywords: City:Montclair, State:New Jersey, Country:United States, Region:North and Central America
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2012, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
NewsRx also is available at LexisNexis, Gale, ProQuest, Factiva, Dialog, Thomson Reuters, NewsEdge, and Dow Jones.