Assessment of clinician and patient reported outcomes after Mohs micrographic surgery
Vetsiou, Evangelia McNeill, Caitlin Matin, Rubeta N Abbott, Rachel Wernham, Aaron
Vetsiou, Evangelia
McNeill, Caitlin
Matin, Rubeta N
Abbott, Rachel
Wernham, Aaron
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Affiliation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Cardiff University; Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
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Publication date
2026-01-15
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evaluating postoperative outcomes after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) necessitates the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinician (± patient) scar assessment tools.
OBJECTIVE: To review patient- and clinician-reported outcome tools that have been developed to evaluate postoperative outcomes that are relevant to MMS.
METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify patients and clinician-reported outcome tools developed for surgery on the head and neck and for skin cancer surgery (including MMS).
RESULTS: Sixteen articles were included. Five PROMs (dermatology life quality index, Skindex 16/29, skin cancer index [SCI], Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool/SF, Facial Apperance Related Questionnaire [FACE-Q]) and 5 clinician (± patient) scar assessment tools (Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale [POSAS], Manchester Scar Scale [MSS], Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale, Global Cosmetic Rating/Visual Analog Scale) are evaluated in detail. Among PROMs, the SCI and FACE-Q Skin Cancer module have demonstrated the strongest validation for facial skin cancers. Emerging tools, for example, Mohs micrographic surgery reconstruction questionnaire-12, reflect efforts to refine patient-centered outcome assessment specific to MMS. Clinician scar assessment tools remain valuable with POSAS widely regarded for combining objective scar characteristics with patient-reported symptoms. Vancouver Scar Scale and MSS offer structured observer-based evaluations, whereas other tools provide simple early postoperative assessments.
CONCLUSION: Integrating PROMs with clinician-reported scar assessment tools enables a comprehensive, multidimensional understanding of surgical outcomes-capturing both the subjective patient experience and objective clinical metrics.
Citation
Vetsiou E, McNeill C, Matin RN, Abbott R, Wernham A. Assessment of Clinician- and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Dermatol Surg. 2026 Jan 15. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000005016. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41538783.
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Article