Reported Outcome Measures in Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Studies With Defined Techniques for Embedding and Processing of Tissue: A Systematic Review.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a technique that combines surgical excision and histologic evaluation to achieve higher cure rates for skin cancer than traditional surgical excision. Competing performance measures have fostered numerous histologic techniques for MMS.

Objective: To analyze differences in primary outcomes in the published literature regarding the technique of tissue processing and embedding during the MMS process.

Methods: A systematic review was performed of the published literature in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library that included a description of the manipulation of tissue during the grossing and embedding steps of MMS.

Results: Inclusion criteria were met by 61 articles. Of these studies, the cure/recurrence rate was assessed in 1 article (1.6%), tissue conservation was assessed in 47 (77%), time-saving was assessed in 35 (57%), cost-saving was assessed in 6 (10%), and decreased artifact were assessed in 20 (33%).

Conclusion: There is a lack of standardization for assessing clinical outcomes in the published literature regarding MMS process techniques. Cure is a critical outcome in studies comparing MMS processing methodologies.