Mohs micrographic surgery in Uruguay

First 130 cases in cutaneous carcinomas

Abstract

Introduction:

Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique for the excision of skin cancer with histologic analysis of 100% of the surgical margins, achieving the highest cure rate, while allowing maximum preservation of surrounding healthy tissue.

Objective:

to perform a clinical-epidemiologic description of our first 130 surgeries at the Hospital de Clínicas.

Method:

descriptive analysis of all patients operated by a single Mohs surgeon in our Dermatologic Surgery Unit between November 2013 and June 2016. Clinical, tumoral and surgical data was registered.

Results:

130 surgeries performed in 90 patients were studied. 62.3% were male patients and 37.7% female. Mean age was 68 years (range: 33 - 90 years). 67.7% resided in Montevideo and 32.3% from other parts of the country. 68% corresponded to basal cell carcinoma, and 32% to squamous cell carcinoma. 91.5% were primary tumors, and 8.5% were recurrent. 75.3% were located on the head and neck region. The most frequently used method of closure were flaps in 43% (56). Up to this moment, 70 patients have undergone follow-up for at least twelve months, and so far, only one case showed recurrence (1/70; 1.43%).

Conclusions:

Mohs surgery is safe and effective, and our results agree with reports of international reference centers. This is the first center in Uruguay with a Mohs Surgeon, and we present the first study in Uruguayan patients.