Adapting with the Pandemic: Modified Mohs Micrographic Surgery Using Rim and Deep Margin Technique.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many facets of medical care and has resulted in a rise in delayed treatments across all specialties, including cosmetic dermatology. Delayed care for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is not only a burden for medical providers, but also confers a risk to patients, as delayed surgeries are associated with increased metastatic risk and tumor size. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) delayed by more than one year leads to increased risk of complications, including bleeding and impaired wound healing, especially in the elderly population. To decrease bleeding risks, we have developed a modified MMS technique known as the "rim and deep margin" technique. Here, we present additional cases using this technique to minimize bleeding and operative time for patients with an increased risk of morbidity. This technique has been used successfully in the past for large tumors and can now be used for patients who have faced delay of care, as evidenced by its success during the COVID-19 pandemic.