Informed consent in dermatologic surgery.

Background: The issue of informed consent retention has not been previously addressed in dermatology literature. Several studies in other fields of medicine have shown that retention rates are below 50%.

Objective: To determine the percentage of complications recalled at 20 minutes and at 1 week after the informed consent process.

Methods: Eighty-five consecutive patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery were given verbal and written instructions, including 10 potential complications. Patients were asked to recall these complications at 20 minutes and at 1 week after the informed consent process.

Results: Overall group retention rate at 20 minutes and at 1 week were 26.5% and 24.4%, respectively.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing elective Mohs micrographic surgery have an overall retention rate of 26.5% just 20 minutes after being informed of 10 possible complications. It is obvious that the informed consent protocol needs additional modalities in order to improve overall retention rates.