Seven years' experience of Mohs micrographic surgery in a UK centre, and development of a UK minimum dataset and audit standards

Background Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the gold-standard treatment for high-risk basal cell carcinomas and a variety of other cutaneous tumours, including dermatofibromasarcoma protuberans and microcystic adnexal carcinoma. Previous large-scale case series, audits and reviews have allowed evaluation of MMS outcomes, such as BCC recurrence rates. However, to date there has been no systematic UK MMS audit, and certain important aspects of care, such as postoperative functional outcomes, have not yet been subject to scrutiny. Aims To review audit data from our centre, and from this to develop a minimum dataset and audit standards for UK MMS centres, on behalf of the British Society of Dermatological Surgery (BSDS). Methods An MMS database was developed locally and modified in response to repeated audit cycles since the introduction of the MMS service. A minimum dataset was developed using this experience. Results In our department, primary BCC recurrence rates are reassuringly low at 0.3%, at both 2 and 5 years. Histopathological discordance is <2%, and aesthetic and functional outcomes at 3 months are good. Conclusions The collation of audit data has been simplified by use of the minimum dataset, which we propose for all UK MMS centres, on behalf of the BSDS. Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.