Citations

Abstract Background Full-thickness lower eyelid defects after Mohs micrographic surgery are frequently referred out to oculoplastic surgery for reconstruction. Reconstructive options include wedge closure with or without canthotomy/cantholysis and tarsoconjunctival sliding flaps. Defects >50% of the eyelid margin have traditionally required the two-stage Hughes flap, leaving the patient with monocular vision for 3-6 weeks until pedicle division. Objective To demonstrate single-stage periosteal flaps performed by dermatologic surgeons can result in safe, functional, and cosmetically acceptable repairs for large full thickness eyelid defects. Materials and Methods An institutional review board-approved retrospective study of repairs performed by two dermatologic surgeons between January 2017 and July 2021 at the University of Minnesota. Patient demographics, operative notes, and follow-up notes were reviewed. Defect and follow up photos were scored using a visual analogue scale to assess aesthetic results. Results Ten cases were included in the analysis. Six patients were male and the average age was 62 years old. 8/10 were basal cell carcinoma and 2/10 were melanoma. The mean defect was 9.5 cm2, with a range of 1 cm2 to 24 cm2. The median cosmetic score was 85.8 +/- 10.7. There were no serious complications reported. Conclusion Mohs micrographic surgeons can safely and successfully reconstruct large, full thickness eyelid defects by periosteal flap.

BACKGROUND Current consensus guidelines have discouraged the use of sub-0.5-cm (in situ) and sub-1-cm (invasive) margins when performing Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs) for melanoma, with minimal evidence to guide this recommendation. OBJECTIVE To compare melanoma local recurrence rates after Mohs based on initial margin size. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with search terms including Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical margin, recurrent disease, and melanoma. RESULTS Forty-three studies were included. The 5- to 10-mm margin category had a statistically significant lower local recurrence compared with 1- to 5-mm and 5-mm categories. Recurrence for 1- to 5-mm, 5-mm, 5- to 10-mm, and 10-mm categories were 2.3% (CI 0.8–3.5, p < .001), 1.4% (CI 0.6–2.2, p < .001), 0.3% (CI 0.2–0.5, p < .001), and 6.1% (CI -6.7 - 18.8, p = .349), respectively. Number of stages for 1 to 5, 5, 5 to 10, and 10-mm categories were 1.8, 1.8, 1.6, and 1.6, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = .694). CONCLUSION Five- to 10-mm margins were associated with the lowest local recurrence rates. A 5- to 10-mm initial margin should be considered where other factors (tumor characteristics, anatomical or functional considerations) allow.

BACKGROUND Previous studies examining melanoma biopsy technique have not demonstrated an effect on overall survival. OBJECTIVE To examine overall survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma diagnosed by shave, punch, incisional, or excisional techniques from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). MATERIALS AND METHODS Melanoma data from the 2004 to 2016 NCDB data set were analyzed. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to assess the risk of 5-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS In total, 42,272 cases of melanoma were reviewed, with 27,899 (66%) diagnosed by shave biopsy, 8,823 (20.9%) by punch biopsy, and 5,550 (13.1%) by incisional biopsy. Both the univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that tumors diagnosed by incisional biopsy had significantly (p = .001) lower overall 5-year survival compared with shave techniques (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.140, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.055 to 1.231). We found no difference (p = .109) between shave and punch biopsy techniques (HR 1.062, 95% CI 0.987–1.142) or between punch and incisional techniques (HR 1.074, 95% CI 0.979–1.177, p = .131). CONCLUSION Incisional biopsies were associated with decreased overall 5-year survival in the NCDB. No difference was observed between shave and punch biopsy techniques. These findings support current melanoma management guidelines.