Mohs micrographic surgery: A pathologist's view Journal Article


Author: Rosai, J.
Article Title: Mohs micrographic surgery: A pathologist's view
Abstract: I would like to begin this article by trying to determine what exactly it is that sets Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) apart from any other surgical procedure carried out for the expressed purpose of removing a neoplasm, whether primary or recurrent at the local site. Because most practitioners of MMS now admit freely that the distinctiveness of MMS is not the type of procedure (such as the use of zinc chloride or any other form of chemosurgery), the type of equipment used (as implied by the reassuring statement that 'most Mohs' surgeons can effectively operate with standard surgical instruments'), or the type of clinical indication (such as recurrent basal cell carcinoma), its claim to superiority must derive from the notion that MMS represents a 'microscopically controlled' brand of surgery. That idea has been advanced by Mohs himself, who stated that 'the unique and important feature of chemosurgery [is] the complete microscopic control of excision rather than the in situ chemical fixations.' This concept is reflected in the currently preferred terminology for the technique, ie, micrographic surgery, which originates from micro, referring to the microscope, and graphic, referring to a map or graph of the lesion made for purposes of orientation at the time the frozen section is performed.
Keywords: review; clinical practice; treatment indication; basal cell carcinoma; skin neoplasms; pathology; surgeon; consultation; frozen section; mohs surgery; chemosurgery; pathologist; humans; human; priority journal
Journal Title: Archives of Dermatology
Volume: 135
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0003-987X
Publisher: American Medical Association  
Date Published: 1999-10-01
Start Page: 1171
End Page: 1173
Language: English
DOI: 10.1001/archderm.135.10.1171
PUBMED: 10522663
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Juan Rosai
    181 Rosai
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