Mohs Micrographic Surgery for the Treatment of Cutaneous Malignant Tumors and Evaluation of Patients' Satisfaction

Kim, Eun Jung; Yun, Sook; Lee, Jee Bum; Kim, Seong Jin; Won, Young Ho; Lee, Seung Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a specialized type of minimal marginal surgery that offers cure rates superior to other options in the treatment of skin cancers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report our experience of MMS for the treatment of cutaneous malignant tumors and to estimate patients' satisfaction. METHOD: We analyzed 60 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors treated by MMS at the Department of Dermatology, Chonnam University Hospital in Gwangju between March 2003 and May 2005. RESULTS: The mean duration of cancer was 3.6 years and the mean size was 17.2 mm. The most common cancer was basal cell carcinoma (71.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (15.0%), and malignant melanoma (6.7%). The most common site was the face (75.0%). On the face, the nose (53.3 %) was the most common site, followed by the eyelid (15.6%), cheek (8.9%), the lip (8.9 %). The local flap was the most common method to repair surgical defects (53.3%), followed by primary closure (25.0%), and skin graft (21.7%). None of the cases was recurrent during 14-months (range, 0.6-27 months) follow up. Forty seven patients answered the questionnaire for satisfaction at doctor's explanation and cosmetic results. Of them, 42 patients (89.4%) were satisfied with the cosmetic result. CONCLUSION: MMS may be a safe and satisfactory method for the treatment of cutaneous malignant tumors.