What is Mohs Surgery (MSC) and what are its advantages over other therapeutic modalities?
It is the technique that has revolutionized oncologic dermatologic tumor surgery and is considered “the Gold Standard”. Unlike conventional surgery, which does not give absolute guarantees of cure. The CMM allows tumor removal while respecting healthy tissue and immediate three-dimensional histological control with a cure rate of 99% in primary tumors and 95% in previously treated or recurrent tumors. In addition, it allows immediate plastic surgery reconstruction in the same surgical act.
Is hospitalization necessary?
Hospitalization is not required. The surgery is performed in dermatological operating rooms with the adjoining laboratory, thus allowing us to perform the technique quickly and efficiently.
What can be detected with tissue extraction?
We as dermatopathologists examine the tumor tissue immediately with tissue freezing and specific scans that allow us to distinguish the true tumor from non-tumorous simulating images. This is why it must be performed by a surgeon specialized in MSC and also a dermatopathologist.
What possible complications can occur?
The failure of the technique is determined by the surgeon’s errors, by poor orientation of the specimen, by technical failure when cutting with the cryostat, by poor histopathological interpretation or by a defective reconstruction with complications.
When the specimen is analyzed and is positive, is another extraction performed?
Of course, it is a technique that involves successive stages, removing only the positive foci. Only in the case of cutaneous sarcomas, we perform a double control and immunohistochemistry.
What kind of post-operative care should be followed?
The usual after surgery: one week for the removal of the skin sutures and periodic check-ups, first every month, then every six months and then once a year.