Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
One Set of Instruments Advised for Mohs Surgery
Avoid a costly approach that is likely unnecessary
Using one set of surgical instruments during Mohs micrographic surgery saves money, doesn’t harm patients, and keeps infection rates within an accepted range, according to a prospective evaluation of 332 patients.
The investigator looked at the rate of surgical site infection in Mohs surgery performed:
• with a clean technique; and
• using the same instruments for tumor extirpation and reconstruction
There were 7 surgical site infections, for an overall rate of 2.1%. 2 of 64 graft closures (3.1%) and 5 of 64 flap closures (1.9%) were observed.
The author noted that surgical site infection rate for Mohs is generally low, yet surgeons sometimes use various approaches to prevent infection that are costly and yet might not be necessary.
Citation: Nasseri E. Prospective Study of Wound Infections in Mohs Micrographic Surgery Using a Single Set of Instruments. Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(9):1008-1012.