Keep it simple. A ten-year experience in reconstructions after Mohs micrographic surgery

Abstract Background: Mohs micrographic surgery is worldwide used for treating skin cancers. After obtaining tumor-free margins, choosing the most appropriate type of closure can be challenging. Objectives: Our aim was to associate type of surgical reconstructions after Mohs micrographic surgery with the characteristics of the tumors as histological subtype, anatomical localization and especially number of surgical stages to achieve complete excision of the tumour. Methods: Transversal, retrospective analyses of medical records. Compilation of data such as gender, age, tumor location, histological subtype, number of stages to achieve clear margins and type of repair used. Results: A total of 975 of facial and extra-facial cases were analyzed. Linear closure was the most common repair by far (39%) and was associated with the smallest number of Mohs micrographic surgery stages. This type of closure was also more common in most histological subtypes and anatomical locations studied. Using Poisson regression model, nose defects presented 39% higher frequency of other closure types than the frequency of primary repairs, when compared to defects in other anatomic sites (p< 0.05). Tumors with two or more stages had a 28.6% higher frequency of other closure types than those operated in a single stage (p< 0.05). Study limitations: Retrospective study with limitations in obtaining information from medical records. The choice of closure type can be a personal choice. Conclusions: Primary closure should not be forgotten especially in surgical defects with fewer stages and in non-aggressive histological subtypes in main anatomic sites where Mohs micrographic surgery is performed.

Termo de consentimento informado: impacto na decisão judicial / Informed consent: impact on court decisions / Formulario de consentimiento informado: impacto en la decisión judicial

Resumo O termo de consentimento informado é fundamental na relação jurídica entre médico e paciente. Visando avaliar seu impacto na sentença judicial, realizou-se estudo retrospectivo de 70 processos de responsabilidade civil envolvendo procedimentos médicos estéticos cirúrgicos e não cirúrgicos com termo de consentimento assinado pelos pacientes. Os casos analisados, julgados entre 2014 e 2016, foram selecionados nos sites dos tribunais brasileiros e classificados em dois grupos: médicos absolvidos (51%) e condenados (49%). No primeiro grupo, 39% das absolvições se embasaram na apresentação adequada do termo de consentimento informado, enquanto, no segundo, 50% dos médicos foram condenados por não o ter incluído. Portanto, o termo de consentimento informado se destaca nos julgamentos de erro médico. O dever de informar é um dos pilares da responsabilidade civil desse profissional e, quando negligenciado, constitui fator substancial para condenação.

Abstract The informed consent form is essential in the physician-patient relationship. To evaluate its impact on court decisions, we conducted a retrospective study of 70 civil suits involving surgical and non-surgical aesthetic medical procedures with an informed consent form signed by patients. The cases, judged between 2014 and 2016, were selected from Brazilian courts websites and classified into two groups: acquitted (51%) and convicted (49%) doctors. In the first group, 39% of acquittals were based on the proper presentation of the informed consent form, whereas in the second 50% of the professionals were convicted for not including the document. The informed consent thus stands out when judging medical errors, and the duty to warn is one of the pillars of the professional liability and, when neglected, becomes a substantial factor for their conviction.

Resumen El formulario de consentimiento informado es fundamental en la relación jurídica entre médico y paciente. Para evaluar su impacto en sentencias judiciales, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con 70 procesos de responsabilidad civil relacionados con procedimientos médicos estéticos quirúrgicos y no quirúrgicos con el formulario de consentimiento firmado por los pacientes. Los casos analizados, juzgados entre 2014 y 2016, fueron seleccionados en los sitios web de los tribunales brasileños y clasificados en dos grupos: médicos absueltos (51%) y condenados (49%). En el primer grupo, el 39% de las absoluciones se basaron en la presentación adecuada del formulario de consentimiento; en el segundo, en el 50% de los casos se condenaron a los médicos por no incluir este documento. Por tanto, el formulario de consentimiento informado se destaca en los juicios por error médico. El deber de informar es uno de los pilares de la responsabilidad civil del médico, y su incumplimiento constituye un factor sustancial de condena.