מאמר של פרופ' חייק יוסף

Abstract

Aims: To review the literature, to present the experience with MMS of a single medical center in Israel and to compare findings to worldwide MMS trends.

Background: Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is a surgical technique that examines all of the cutaneous malignancy margins during surgery through precise mapping. This technique achieves the highest cure rates for cutaneous malignancies, while sparing normal tissue. The incidence of cutaneous malignancy is rising worldwide. The volume of Mohs surgeries increases as well. Therefore, physicians should gain knowledge about MMS utility in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy. This study is the first to be conducted is Israel and it aimed to present trends in the utilization of MMS.

Methods: A retrospective review of all MMS performed from 2012 to 2018 at the Sheba Medical Center.

Results: Overall, MMS technique was used in 3,795 cases. There was an upward trend in the utility volume of MMS during study period, from 372 cases in the year 2012 to 702 cases in 2017. We found an upward trend in the volume of MMS procedures within patients groups in the ages 65 to 74 and 75 years old and older. Male patients presented a double fold upward trend, in comparison to the female group.

Conclusions: The upward trends found in this study correlate with the worldwide MMS trends and the rising incidence of cutaneous malignancy in Israel. More specialists are needed due to the increase in demand of MMS procedures.