Published in:
01-01-2024 | ORIGINAL PAPER
Pre-operative drawings of anticipated closures as a visual tool to align patient and physician expectations for Mohs and reconstructive surgery
Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research | Issue 1/2024
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While the primary concern of most patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the complete removal of cancer, aesthetic outcome is also important [1–4]. At Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), we utilize pre-operative drawings to align expectations with post-operative outcomes of Mohs reconstructions. Here, we evaluated the effect of pre-operative drawings during Mohs consultation in setting patient expectations for reconstructive outcomes (Fig. 1). Patients at CUIMC undergoing Mohs and reconstructive surgery by a single surgeon (FS) were included (see Supplementary Methods).
Fig. 1
Pre-operative drawings for a patient with anticipated linear closure. A initial tumor, B pre-operative drawing, C intra-operative defect, D closure, E 1-week suture removal visit. Questionnaire: this patient reported that prior to surgery, he was very nervous (scale = 2), found the drawing useful and felt prepared for surgery. Postop, his outcome met expectations, the closure was exactly similar (5/5) to his expectations, and he thought the drawing had been useful
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